A Rare Variant of Aorto-Atrial Fistula;Left Sinus of Valsalva Fistula to Superior Vena Cava and Right Atrium in a Neonate

Abstract

Aorta-atrial fistula (AAF) is defined as the communication of blood flow between the aorta and the atrium. Most of the fistula occurs between the ascending aorta and the right atrium. Aorta-atrial fistula occurs mostly due to acquired causes. Congenital causes remain a minority. We report a very rare variant of AAF in a two-day-old neonate in whom the fistula was arising from the left sinus of Valsalva of the aortic root and draining into the superior vena cava and the right atrium. The child underwent successful surgical ligation of the fistula on a beating heart and is doing well on a two-year follow-up.