[A surgical case of left coronary artery-left ventricular fistula].

Left ventricular fistulas arising from the left coronary artery are rare, and only 3 cases have been reported Japan. Surgical closure of a left coronary artery-left ventricular fistula in a 14-year old male was reported. The fistula was identified by coronary arteriography after the patient had been admitted to hospital complaining of recurrent chest pain. Ligation of the fistula involving the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass, chemical arrest and hypothermia. The blood flow through the LAD decreased from 370 ml/min to 100 ml/min after the fistula was ligated, and there was uneventful postoperative recovery. Furthermore chest pain of the patient was shown to diminish and movement of the left ventricular septum was improved, compared with the preoperative cineangiography. However, trivial residual flow fo the circumflex coronary artery to the left ventricle remained on postoperative coronary arteriography. The principal aim of the procedure for surgical correction should be effective closure of the fistula without compromising the distal blood supply of the coronary artery involved, cardiopulmonary bypass is considered necessary to appropriate closure of the fistula.