Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosis of Right Coronary Arteriovenous Fistula

A Case Report

Abstract

We describe a patient with a right coronary arteriovenous fistula in whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was useful in establishing the diagnosis. In a 36-year-old woman, T1 spin echo MRI demonstrated a massively dilated coronary arteriovenous fistula connecting the right coronary artery to the right atrium. The cine field echo technique showed a continuous shunt flow within the fistula as documented by the flow void throughout the cardiac cycle. These findings were confirmed by cardiac catheterization. We conclude that MRI is useful not only in detecting a coronary arteriovenous fistula but also in identifying its origin and the drainage site. (Jpn Circ J 1997; 61: 1043 - 1046)