Successful repair of a massive coronary arteriovenous fistula in a 68-year-old man.

Successful ligation of a massive coronary arteriovenous fistula in a 68-year-old-man is reported. The defect, which extended from the left coronary artery to the coronary sinus, had been diagnosed 17 years earlier. At the time of repair, the patient's age and fistula related complications made him a relatively high-risk operative candidate. In light of this case, operative approaches for repairing coronary arteriovenous fistulas are discussed.