Fistula Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Fistula, including details on types, causes, treatment.

Pericardiocutaneous fistula: presentation with acute hemorrhage 8 years following aortic valve replacement.

De Freitas RP, Jones JM, Gladstone DJ, McGuigan JA

Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Grosvenor Rd, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK.

Pericardiocutaneous fistula is a rare complication of cardiac surgery. A 35-year-old female presented with acute severe hemorrhage from a pericardiocutaneous fistula eight years following aortic valve replacement. Computed tomography showed a large, pericardial collection causing tamponade, connected to a smaller subcutaneous cavity, with a tract leading to the skin. The patient underwent emergency surgical exploration with removal of hematoma, hemostasis, and partial pericardectomy. One year following the operation, the patient remains stable. Factors in the development of pericardiocutaneous fistula were valve replacement, infection, and warfarin anticoagulation.

Published 9 May 2007 in J Card Surg, 22(3): 233-5.
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