Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2008 Aug;41(4):516-519.

The Surgical Treatment for Aorto-cutaneous Fistula after Open Heart Surgery: A case report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, National Medical Center, Korea. bylkim@kebi.com

Abstract

Aorto-cutaneous fistula is a rare complication after performing open heart surgery, but if this develops, it is a fatal condition. So, prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment is needed. We report here on a patient who had two mechanical double valves placed during heart surgery and she was treated for repeated sternal wound infections for about 5 years. She visited the ER due to abrupt bleeding at the sternal wound. She was diagnosed as having an aorto-cutaneous fistula by performing an aortogram and we then performed cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery. The patient is currently doing well and is under follow up 24 months after the repair.

Keyword

Complication; Aorta, ascending; Sternotomy; Mediastinitis; Fistula

MeSH Terms

Aorta
Fistula
Follow-Up Studies
Heart
Hemorrhage
Humans
Mediastinitis
Sternotomy
Thoracic Surgery
Wound Infection
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