Balloon embolisation of a coronary arterial fistula.

Coronary arterial fistulas traditionally are treated surgically. We describe a case in which a fistula between the right coronary artery and right ventricle was treated by balloon embolisation. Coronary arteriography 13 months later showed that the fistula remained occluded, and that the coronary artery had returned to a normal size. In suitable cases, embolisation of coronary arterial fistulas is an effective alternative to surgery, and can restore normal coronary arterial anatomy.