Iatrogenic coronary-to-right ventricle fistula: Benign outcome irrespective of patency?

Coronary perforation is an uncommon, but potentially lethal complication of percutaneous coronary interventions. Most perforations have proved to lead to intramyocardial or intrapericardial extravasation. However, perforation may also lead to direct coronary-to-right ventricle fistula, more commonly occurring in complex lesions and/or the use of atheroablative devices. To prevent this complication careful manipulation of the guidewire across the obstruction is mandatory, together with avoidance of oversized balloons and high-pressure inflations. The factors that determine the hemodynamic significance of the fistulas include size of the communication, resistance of the recipient chamber, and potential for development of myocardial ischemia. Accordingly a broad range of signs and symptoms may be referred. Despite iatrogenic fistulas are usually benign and asymptomatic, spontaneous closures are very rare. In most cases fistulas need to be treated by percutaneous or surgical closure, being the conservative management a debated option. In isolated cases serious complications have been described resulting from volume overload and distal myocardial flow impairment. We hereby describe two cases of coronary-to-right ventricle fistula occurred during percutaneous coronary intervention, highlighting full angiographic iconography and the issues involved in the management and follow-up of this iatrogenic complication.