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==Overview==
Aortopulmonary fistula occur when there is a communication between [[aorta]] and adjacent [[pulmonary artery]]. It is a rare but has been thought to be uniformly fatal if not treated surgically. In the earlier experiences with this entity, a chronic infectious process arising in the lung ([[pneumonitis]] or [[abcess]] or [[aorta]]), mycotic aneurysm  was the most frequent cause. In recent decades, the reported aortopulmonary fistulas have occurred most frequently as the result of erosion and/or rupture of a degenerative or false [[aneurysm]] of the distal aortic arch or descending thoracic aorta into the left lung. It can occur either in the acute or chronic phase of [[aortic dissection]], either with or without previous cardiovascular surgery. [[Hemoptysis]] is the most common presentation of aortopulmonary fistula after cardiac surgery. The reported interval between the time of operation and the onset of [[hemoptysis]] ranges from 3 weeks to 25 years.  Aortopulmonary fistula subsequently leads to several complications such as rapid left-to-right shunt and [[Right heart failure CT|right heart failure]]. Diagnostic examinations are often unable to directly visualize a fistula. [[Aortography]] is the gold standard. Indication for surgical or endovascular repair mostly relies on clinical suspicion and nonspecific diagnostic features. Aortobronchopulmonary fistulas are uniformly fatal if untreated. The overall surgical mortality rate is 15.3%.
==Pathophysiology and Etiology==
Aortopulmonary fistula usually occurs when there is damage to the wall of aorta or pulmonary artery which causes a communication between these two adjacent anatomic structures. Most of the time it happens in an event of [[aortic dissection]], [[aortic aneurysm]], any surgery that causes damage to wall of aorta or pulmonary artery, [[pulmonary hypertension]] and extremely high flow through aorta or pulmonary artery. This can also occur if walls of aorta are fragile as they can be in an event of [[Atherosclerosis/plaque imaging with CMR|atherosclerosis]], [[aortitis]] or any other cause of inflammation of aorta and [[Marfan's syndrome]]. The fistula leads to rapid left to right shunting and can have severe consequences. This causes the oxygen saturation of the blood to fall and it can present with signs and symptoms of [[congestive heart failure]] and [[Pulmonary edema, cardiogenic|pulmonary edema]]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rightdiagnosis.com/medical/aortopulmonary_fistula.htm|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>Killen D.A, Aortopulmonary Fistula, South Med J 93(2), 2000</ref><ref>MacIntosh E, Parrott J, Unruh H: Fistulas between the aorta and tracheobronchial tree. Ann Thorac Surg 1991; 51:515-519</ref><ref>Fernandez Gonzales A, Montero J, Luna D, et al: Aortobronchial fistula secondary to chronic post-traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Tex Heart Inst J 1996; 23:174-177</ref><ref>DeProphetis N, Armitage H, Triboletti E: Rupture of tuberculous aortic aneurysm into lung. Ann Surg 1959; 150:1046-1051</ref><ref>Favre J, Gournier J, Adham M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surgery 1994; 115:264-270</ref><ref>Szolar D, Riepl T, Stiskal M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula as a late complication of post traumatic chronic aortic aneurysm. AJR 1995; 164:1511-1513</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(03)00128-4/fulltext|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003497502048373|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410487|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
== Risk Factors ==
Some of the risk factors for aortopulmonary fistula are given below:
* Complication of surgery or thoracic aortic graft <ref>Jones J: Complications of the surgery of patent ductus arteriosus. J Thorac Surg 1947; 16:305-313</ref>
* Indwelling [[chest tube]], spinal fixation device, or foreign body
* Congenital <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationaljournalofcardiology.com/article/S0167-5273(14)01251-0/fulltext|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
* Repair of [[coarctation of aorta]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scholars.northwestern.edu/en/publications/aortopulmonary-fistula-in-an-infected-dacron-graft-for-coarctatio|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Use of Dacron draft for aortic repair surgery
**Elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair is comparatively a safer option<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28795035|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Bentall operation <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/36458364/Acquired_aortopulmonary_fistula_in_pseudoaneurysm_of_the_aorta_six_years_after_a_bentall_operation|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*[[Marfan's syndrome CT|Marfan's syndrome]]
*[[Atherosclerotic]] inflammation
*[[Hypertension]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27527829|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Blunt chest trauma
*Transcatheter [[pulmonary valve]] placement
*[[Ross procedure]] <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.113.000654?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Pulmonary angioplasty<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.revespcardiol.org/en/percutaneous-closure-of-iatrogenic-aortopulmonary/articulo/90273733/|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*[[Truncus arteriosus]] repair<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25193221|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Atrial switch operation<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26719412|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*High output heart failure<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1561881117300901|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*[[Neoplasm]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158173/|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*[[Bicuspid aortic valve]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2014/bcr-2014-207374|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
* Erosion and/or rupture of a degenerative or false aneurysm of the distal aortic arch or descending thoracic aorta into the lung. Possible reasons of true or false aneurysms:


:*True [[aneurysm]]<ref>Coblentz C, Sallee D, Chiles C: Aortobronchopulmonary fistula complicating aortic aneurysm: diagnosis in four cases. AJR 1988; 150:535-538</ref>
:*Infectious aortitis<ref>DeProphetis N, Armitage H, Triboletti E: Rupture of tuberculous aortic aneurysm into lung. Ann Surg 1959; 150:1046-1051</ref>
:*[[Aortic dissection]]<ref>Fernandez Gonzales A, Montero J, Luna D, et al: Aortobronchial fistula secondary to chronic post-traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Tex Heart Inst J 1996; 23:174-177</ref>
:*Traumatic aortic tear<ref>Szolar D, Riepl T, Stiskal M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula as a late complication of posttraumatic chronic aortic aneurysm. AJR 1995; 164: 1511-1513 </ref>
:*Aortic suture line breakdown


==Overview==
==Signs And Symptoms==
 
The most frequent symptoms of an aortopulmonary fistula are [[chest pain]] and [[hemoptysis]], but often [[shortness of breath]], [[fever]], and/or other respiratory symptoms are present.<ref>MacIntosh E, Parrott J, Unruh H: Fistulas between the aorta and tracheobronchial tree. Ann Thorac Surg 1991; 51:515-519</ref><ref>Favre J, Gournier J, Adham M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surgery 1994; 115:264-270</ref> It can also presents with [[dyspnea]], [[orthopnea]], chest discomfort on exertion, [[dizziness]], [[cool extremities]], [[edema]], hypothermic circulatory arrest, right ventricular dysfunction and other symptoms of [[congestive heart failure]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763467/|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> 


Aortopulmonary fistula is rare but has been thought to be uniformly fatal if not treated surgically. In the earlier experiences with this entity, a chronic infectious process arising in the lung or aorta was the most frequent cause. In recent decades, the reported aortopulmonary fistulas have occurred most frequently as the result of erosion and/or rupture of a degenerative or false aneurysm of the distal aortic arch or descending thoracic aorta into the lung.<ref>Killen D.A, Aortopulmonary Fistula, South Med J 93(2), 2000</ref> <ref>MacIntosh E, Parrott J, Unruh H: Fistulas between the aorta and tracheobronchial tree. Ann Thorac Surg 1991; 51:515-519</ref> <ref>Fernandez Gonzales A, Montero J, Luna D, et al: Aortobronchial fistula secondary to chronic post-traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Tex Heart Inst J 1996; 23:174-177</ref> <ref>DeProphetis N, Armitage H, Triboletti E: Rupture of tuberculous aortic aneurysm into lung. Ann Surg 1959; 150:1046-1051</ref> <ref>Favre J, Gournier J, Adham M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surgery 1994; 115:264-270</ref> <ref>Szolar D, Riepl T, Stiskal M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula as a late complication of post traumatic chronic aortic aneurysm. AJR 1995; 164:1511-1513</ref>
== Examination ==
Usually the first clue to an aortopulmonary fistula is unstable vitals. A person can have [[tachycardia]], bounding pulse and increased respiratory rate. Sudden lipothymia and [[anemia]] can also indicate aortopulmonary fistula.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.revespcardiol.org/en/acute-clinical-presentation-of-pseudoaneurysm/articulo/90460465/|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> A person can have prominent precordium, [[palpable thrill]] and [[Murmurs|murmur]]. There could be crackles and ronchi heard on auscultating lungs.


==Pathophysiology and Etiology==
== Post Operation Care ==
* Complication of surgery or thoracic aortic graft <ref>Jones J: Complications of the surgery of patent ductus arteriosus. J Thorac Surg 1947; 16:305-313</ref>
In repair of aortopulmonary fistula, patient should be rigorously followed and an eye should be kept on his cardiac health. Few patients who went through aortopulmonary fistula repair showed signs of class one [[heart failure]] with in one year of post operation course.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2014/bcr-2014-207374|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> During any aortic surgical repair, use of prosthesis should be avoided because it can lead to greater chances of recurrent infection. Use of pulmonary allograft should also be made available and should be implanted when necessary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(03)00128-4/fulltext|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
* Indwelling chest tube, spinal fixation device, or foreign body
* Erosion and/or rupture of a degenerative or false aneurysm of the distal aortic arch or descending thoracic aorta into the lung. Possible reasons of true or false aneurysms;
:*True [[aneurysm]] <ref>Coblentz C, Sallee D, Chiles C: Aortobronchopulmonary fistula complicating aortic aneurysm: diagnosis in four cases. AJR 1988; 150:535-538</ref>
:*Infectious aortitis <ref>DeProphetis N, Armitage H, Triboletti E: Rupture of tuberculous aortic aneurysm into lung. Ann Surg 1959; 150:1046-1051</ref>
:*[[Aortic dissection]] <ref>Fernandez Gonzales A, Montero J, Luna D, et al: Aortobronchial fistula secondary to chronic post-traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Tex Heart Inst J 1996; 23:174-177</ref>
:*Traumatic aortic tear <ref>Szolar D, Riepl T, Stiskal M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula as a late complication of posttraumatic chronic aortic aneurysm. AJR 1995; 164: 1511-1513 </ref>
:*Aortic suture line breakdown


==Diagnosis==
== Complications ==
Aortopulmonary fistula can be very lethal. [[Mediastinitis (patient information)|Mediastinitis]] and other infection can be one of the complication if recurrent infection occur after surgical repair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(03)00128-4/fulltext|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> Sudden death can occur if immediate surgical intervention is not made at an appropriate time. The risk factors associated with early death after surgical repair are:
* Old age
* Congestive cardiac insufficiency
*[[Angina]]
*[[Dissection]]
* Aortic arch management and co-morbidities


===Symptoms===
Factors like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, systemic [[arterial hypertension]] and peripheral vascular insufficiency in addition to coronary artery insufficiency can also dictate the course of disease.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bjcvs.org/article/1049/Aneurisma-do-arco-aortico-com-fIstula-aorto-pulmonar--tratamento-cirurgico-com-sucesso|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>


The most frequent symptoms of an aortopulmonary fistula are [[chest pain]] and [[hemoptysis]], but often [[shortness of breath]], [[fever]], and/or other respiratory symptoms are present.<ref>MacIntosh E, Parrott J, Unruh H: Fistulas between the aorta and tracheobronchial tree. Ann Thorac Surg 1991; 51:515-519</ref> <ref>Favre J, Gournier J, Adham M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surgery 1994; 115:264-270</ref>
== Diagnosis ==
It is very crucial to diagnose aortopulmonary fistula at the appropriate time. Timely diagnosis and intervention can save life. There are countless diagnostic modalities which can help in diagnosing aortopulmonary fistula. [[Aortography]] is the gold standard to diagnose it. It is very important to know the exact location and dimension of fistula before any surgical intervention can be done.


===Chest x-ray===
===Chest x-ray===


[[Chest x-ray]]s help to confirm pulmonary infiltrates.
[[Chest x-ray]]s help to confirm pulmonary infiltrates. It can show widened mediastinum with pulmonary plethora. It can also show signs of pulmonary edema bt all these findings are non specific and can happen in many other cardiac and pulmonary pathologies.
 
=== Echocardiogram ===
Echocardiogram can show dilation of aorta and increased flow of pulmonary artery. It can also show other features like enlarged chambers of heart. It might or might not not show the location of fistula.
 
=== Cardiac Catheterization ===
Cardiac catheterization can show elevated pressure in pulmonary artery. The pressures can be as high as that of aorta which supports the idea of a communication between aorta and pulmonary artery. It can also reveal a step up in oxygen saturation on right sided chamber and vessels of heart but it does not show the location of fistula.
 
=== EKG ===
Electrocardiogram can show tachycardia on the EKG strip. Usually there are no ST segment changes but ST segment changes can show up  in case of ischemia of heart walls.ia o


===CT===
===CT===


<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
The computed tomographic scan is a very rewarding test, identifying an aneurysm and the fistula in 50% of time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000349759190888W|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Aortopulmonary-fistula-001.jpg
Image:Aortopulmonary-fistula-001.jpg
Image:Aortopulmonary-fistula-002.jpg
Image:Aortopulmonary-fistula-002.jpg
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</div>
</div>


==Bronchoscopy==
===Bronchoscopy===


Bronchoscopy during an episode of hemoptysis can document its lobar origin.
Bronchoscopy during an episode of hemoptysis can document its lobar origin.
Line 47: Line 94:


Aortography is a gold standard of diagnosing of aortopulmonary fistula. Subtraction technique may help to obtain additional information.
Aortography is a gold standard of diagnosing of aortopulmonary fistula. Subtraction technique may help to obtain additional information.
Following things should be considered before doing this est
* Renal function tests
* Allergy to dyes
* Breast feeding and pregnancy
* Metal implants
Aortography can tell us about the exact location and dimension of aortopulmonary fistula.


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
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Once the diagnosis is confirmed, prompt surgical or percutaneous interventions are indicated.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, prompt surgical or percutaneous interventions are indicated.


The indications for urgent treatment are given below
* Hemoptysis
* History of previous cardiac or aortic operation
* presence of lung infiltrates on the chest roentgenogram
* lung hemorrage on the computed tomographic scan,
* visualization of a pseudoaneurysm.
The main focus of treatment should be to control the right to left shunting, resolve the edema in lungs and minimize the signs of heart failure. This can be achieved if following goals are met
* Restoring single lumen continuity to the ascending aorta and excluding the aortic tear
* Separating the pulmonary circulation from systemic blood flow
* Restoring adequate coronary circulation through native coronary ostia and surgical bypass grafts<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(01)89856-1/fulltext|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
Immediate surgery is required to meet all these goals. Various surgical otions are on table to choose from and it can vary from one individual to another.
*Endovascular stenting <ref>Miyata T, Ohara N, Shigematsu H, et al: Endovascular stent graft repair of aortopulmonary fistula. J Vasc Surg 1999; 29:557-560</ref> <ref>Campagna A, Wehner J, Kirsch C, et al: Endovascular stenting of an aortopulmonary fistula presenting with hemoptysis. J Cardiovasc Surg 1996; 37:643-646</ref>
*Endovascular stenting <ref>Miyata T, Ohara N, Shigematsu H, et al: Endovascular stent graft repair of aortopulmonary fistula. J Vasc Surg 1999; 29:557-560</ref> <ref>Campagna A, Wehner J, Kirsch C, et al: Endovascular stenting of an aortopulmonary fistula presenting with hemoptysis. J Cardiovasc Surg 1996; 37:643-646</ref>
*Surgery <ref>Lawrence W, Kern J, Tribble C: Repair of aortobronchial fistula using extraanatomic grafts and hypothermic arrest. Ann Thorac Surg 1997; 63:1158-1160</ref>
*Surgery <ref>Lawrence W, Kern J, Tribble C: Repair of aortobronchial fistula using extraanatomic grafts and hypothermic arrest. Ann Thorac Surg 1997; 63:1158-1160</ref>
*percutaneous amplatzer septal occluder <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/38/37/2853/2725556|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Amplatzer occulder using antegrade venous approach might decrease the risk of subsequent cardiac surgery as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29022410|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Conventional elephant trunk implantation<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29939255|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*pericardial patc closure and tube graft<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocs.12212|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*percutaneous closure with an atrial septal occlusion devise<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27440801|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Endovascular occlusion devise<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27151885|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Retroperitoneal aortotomy with intravascular insertion of an expandable stainless steel stent covered by a polyester graft<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/9016985|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
Other options which are still under trial includes
*Amplatzer occlude via percutaneous catheterization<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27449901|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*pulmonary artery catheterization with thoracotomy


==References==
==References==
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Associate Editor-In-Chief: Anika Naeem, Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Aortopulmonary fistula occur when there is a communication between aorta and adjacent pulmonary artery. It is a rare but has been thought to be uniformly fatal if not treated surgically. In the earlier experiences with this entity, a chronic infectious process arising in the lung (pneumonitis or abcess or aorta), mycotic aneurysm was the most frequent cause. In recent decades, the reported aortopulmonary fistulas have occurred most frequently as the result of erosion and/or rupture of a degenerative or false aneurysm of the distal aortic arch or descending thoracic aorta into the left lung. It can occur either in the acute or chronic phase of aortic dissection, either with or without previous cardiovascular surgery. Hemoptysis is the most common presentation of aortopulmonary fistula after cardiac surgery. The reported interval between the time of operation and the onset of hemoptysis ranges from 3 weeks to 25 years. Aortopulmonary fistula subsequently leads to several complications such as rapid left-to-right shunt and right heart failure. Diagnostic examinations are often unable to directly visualize a fistula. Aortography is the gold standard. Indication for surgical or endovascular repair mostly relies on clinical suspicion and nonspecific diagnostic features. Aortobronchopulmonary fistulas are uniformly fatal if untreated. The overall surgical mortality rate is 15.3%.

Pathophysiology and Etiology

Aortopulmonary fistula usually occurs when there is damage to the wall of aorta or pulmonary artery which causes a communication between these two adjacent anatomic structures. Most of the time it happens in an event of aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, any surgery that causes damage to wall of aorta or pulmonary artery, pulmonary hypertension and extremely high flow through aorta or pulmonary artery. This can also occur if walls of aorta are fragile as they can be in an event of atherosclerosis, aortitis or any other cause of inflammation of aorta and Marfan's syndrome. The fistula leads to rapid left to right shunting and can have severe consequences. This causes the oxygen saturation of the blood to fall and it can present with signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Risk Factors

Some of the risk factors for aortopulmonary fistula are given below:

Signs And Symptoms

The most frequent symptoms of an aortopulmonary fistula are chest pain and hemoptysis, but often shortness of breath, fever, and/or other respiratory symptoms are present.[28][29] It can also presents with dyspnea, orthopnea, chest discomfort on exertion, dizziness, cool extremities, edema, hypothermic circulatory arrest, right ventricular dysfunction and other symptoms of congestive heart failure.[30]

Examination

Usually the first clue to an aortopulmonary fistula is unstable vitals. A person can have tachycardia, bounding pulse and increased respiratory rate. Sudden lipothymia and anemia can also indicate aortopulmonary fistula.[31] A person can have prominent precordium, palpable thrill and murmur. There could be crackles and ronchi heard on auscultating lungs.

Post Operation Care

In repair of aortopulmonary fistula, patient should be rigorously followed and an eye should be kept on his cardiac health. Few patients who went through aortopulmonary fistula repair showed signs of class one heart failure with in one year of post operation course.[32] During any aortic surgical repair, use of prosthesis should be avoided because it can lead to greater chances of recurrent infection. Use of pulmonary allograft should also be made available and should be implanted when necessary.[33]

Complications

Aortopulmonary fistula can be very lethal. Mediastinitis and other infection can be one of the complication if recurrent infection occur after surgical repair.[34] Sudden death can occur if immediate surgical intervention is not made at an appropriate time. The risk factors associated with early death after surgical repair are:

  • Old age
  • Congestive cardiac insufficiency
  • Angina
  • Dissection
  • Aortic arch management and co-morbidities

Factors like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, systemic arterial hypertension and peripheral vascular insufficiency in addition to coronary artery insufficiency can also dictate the course of disease.[35]

Diagnosis

It is very crucial to diagnose aortopulmonary fistula at the appropriate time. Timely diagnosis and intervention can save life. There are countless diagnostic modalities which can help in diagnosing aortopulmonary fistula. Aortography is the gold standard to diagnose it. It is very important to know the exact location and dimension of fistula before any surgical intervention can be done.

Chest x-ray

Chest x-rays help to confirm pulmonary infiltrates. It can show widened mediastinum with pulmonary plethora. It can also show signs of pulmonary edema bt all these findings are non specific and can happen in many other cardiac and pulmonary pathologies.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram can show dilation of aorta and increased flow of pulmonary artery. It can also show other features like enlarged chambers of heart. It might or might not not show the location of fistula.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization can show elevated pressure in pulmonary artery. The pressures can be as high as that of aorta which supports the idea of a communication between aorta and pulmonary artery. It can also reveal a step up in oxygen saturation on right sided chamber and vessels of heart but it does not show the location of fistula.

EKG

Electrocardiogram can show tachycardia on the EKG strip. Usually there are no ST segment changes but ST segment changes can show up in case of ischemia of heart walls.ia o

CT

The computed tomographic scan is a very rewarding test, identifying an aneurysm and the fistula in 50% of time.[36]

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy during an episode of hemoptysis can document its lobar origin.

Aortography

Aortography is a gold standard of diagnosing of aortopulmonary fistula. Subtraction technique may help to obtain additional information.

Following things should be considered before doing this est

  • Renal function tests
  • Allergy to dyes
  • Breast feeding and pregnancy
  • Metal implants

Aortography can tell us about the exact location and dimension of aortopulmonary fistula.

Treatment

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, prompt surgical or percutaneous interventions are indicated.

The indications for urgent treatment are given below

  • Hemoptysis
  • History of previous cardiac or aortic operation
  • presence of lung infiltrates on the chest roentgenogram
  • lung hemorrage on the computed tomographic scan,
  • visualization of a pseudoaneurysm.

The main focus of treatment should be to control the right to left shunting, resolve the edema in lungs and minimize the signs of heart failure. This can be achieved if following goals are met

  • Restoring single lumen continuity to the ascending aorta and excluding the aortic tear
  • Separating the pulmonary circulation from systemic blood flow
  • Restoring adequate coronary circulation through native coronary ostia and surgical bypass grafts[37]

Immediate surgery is required to meet all these goals. Various surgical otions are on table to choose from and it can vary from one individual to another.

  • Endovascular stenting [38] [39]
  • Surgery [40]
  • percutaneous amplatzer septal occluder [41]
  • Amplatzer occulder using antegrade venous approach might decrease the risk of subsequent cardiac surgery as well.[42]
  • Conventional elephant trunk implantation[43]
  • pericardial patc closure and tube graft[44]
  • percutaneous closure with an atrial septal occlusion devise[45]
  • Endovascular occlusion devise[46]
  • Retroperitoneal aortotomy with intravascular insertion of an expandable stainless steel stent covered by a polyester graft[47]

Other options which are still under trial includes

  • Amplatzer occlude via percutaneous catheterization[48]
  • pulmonary artery catheterization with thoracotomy

References

  1. ↑ https://www.rightdiagnosis.com/medical/aortopulmonary_fistula.htm. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Killen D.A, Aortopulmonary Fistula, South Med J 93(2), 2000
  3. ↑ MacIntosh E, Parrott J, Unruh H: Fistulas between the aorta and tracheobronchial tree. Ann Thorac Surg 1991; 51:515-519
  4. ↑ Fernandez Gonzales A, Montero J, Luna D, et al: Aortobronchial fistula secondary to chronic post-traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Tex Heart Inst J 1996; 23:174-177
  5. ↑ DeProphetis N, Armitage H, Triboletti E: Rupture of tuberculous aortic aneurysm into lung. Ann Surg 1959; 150:1046-1051
  6. ↑ Favre J, Gournier J, Adham M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surgery 1994; 115:264-270
  7. ↑ Szolar D, Riepl T, Stiskal M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula as a late complication of post traumatic chronic aortic aneurysm. AJR 1995; 164:1511-1513
  8. ↑ https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(03)00128-4/fulltext. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003497502048373. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410487. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ Jones J: Complications of the surgery of patent ductus arteriosus. J Thorac Surg 1947; 16:305-313
  12. ↑ https://www.internationaljournalofcardiology.com/article/S0167-5273(14)01251-0/fulltext. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ https://www.scholars.northwestern.edu/en/publications/aortopulmonary-fistula-in-an-infected-dacron-graft-for-coarctatio. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28795035. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ↑ https://www.academia.edu/36458364/Acquired_aortopulmonary_fistula_in_pseudoaneurysm_of_the_aorta_six_years_after_a_bentall_operation. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27527829. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.113.000654?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ http://www.revespcardiol.org/en/percutaneous-closure-of-iatrogenic-aortopulmonary/articulo/90273733/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25193221. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26719412. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1561881117300901. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158173/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ↑ https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2014/bcr-2014-207374. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ↑ Coblentz C, Sallee D, Chiles C: Aortobronchopulmonary fistula complicating aortic aneurysm: diagnosis in four cases. AJR 1988; 150:535-538
  25. ↑ DeProphetis N, Armitage H, Triboletti E: Rupture of tuberculous aortic aneurysm into lung. Ann Surg 1959; 150:1046-1051
  26. ↑ Fernandez Gonzales A, Montero J, Luna D, et al: Aortobronchial fistula secondary to chronic post-traumatic thoracic aneurysm. Tex Heart Inst J 1996; 23:174-177
  27. ↑ Szolar D, Riepl T, Stiskal M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula as a late complication of posttraumatic chronic aortic aneurysm. AJR 1995; 164: 1511-1513
  28. ↑ MacIntosh E, Parrott J, Unruh H: Fistulas between the aorta and tracheobronchial tree. Ann Thorac Surg 1991; 51:515-519
  29. ↑ Favre J, Gournier J, Adham M, et al: Aortobronchial fistula: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surgery 1994; 115:264-270
  30. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763467/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ↑ http://www.revespcardiol.org/en/acute-clinical-presentation-of-pseudoaneurysm/articulo/90460465/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ↑ https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2014/bcr-2014-207374. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ↑ https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(03)00128-4/fulltext. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. ↑ https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(03)00128-4/fulltext. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. ↑ http://www.bjcvs.org/article/1049/Aneurisma-do-arco-aortico-com-fIstula-aorto-pulmonar--tratamento-cirurgico-com-sucesso. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000349759190888W. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. ↑ https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(01)89856-1/fulltext. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. ↑ Miyata T, Ohara N, Shigematsu H, et al: Endovascular stent graft repair of aortopulmonary fistula. J Vasc Surg 1999; 29:557-560
  39. ↑ Campagna A, Wehner J, Kirsch C, et al: Endovascular stenting of an aortopulmonary fistula presenting with hemoptysis. J Cardiovasc Surg 1996; 37:643-646
  40. ↑ Lawrence W, Kern J, Tribble C: Repair of aortobronchial fistula using extraanatomic grafts and hypothermic arrest. Ann Thorac Surg 1997; 63:1158-1160
  41. ↑ https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/38/37/2853/2725556. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  42. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29022410. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29939255. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  44. ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocs.12212. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  45. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27440801. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  46. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27151885. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  47. ↑ https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/9016985. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  48. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27449901. Missing or empty |title= (help)

External Links

Goldminer: Aortopulmonary fistula


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