Case Reports
A Large Arteriovenous Fistula between the Femoral Artery and the Femoral Vein after Cardiac Catheterization Manifesting as High-Output Cardiac Failure

https://doi.org/10.1097/00000441-200509000-00011Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

Arteriovenous fistula is a potential complication of cardiac catheterization. Most of these fistulas cause no harm. We describe a case of high-output heart failure caused by an arteriovenous fistula in the groin. The heart failure was resolved by surgical closure of the fistula.

Section snippets

Discussion

High-output cardiac failure is a known form of heart failure. It can be seen in patients with hyperthyroidism, anemia, pregnancy, arteriovenous fistula, beriberi, and Paget disease.1 In patients with high-output cardiac failure, cardiac output may be in the upper limits of normal, or higher.

An integral physiologic component of systolic heart failure is the delivery of an inadequate quantity of oxygen required by the metabolizing tissues. In the absence of peripheral shunting of blood, this is

References (11)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text