Aorto-left atrial fistula: Rare cause of acute cardiac failure in a previously healthy individual

Complications of valvular infective endocarditis involving the peri-annular region puts the patient at a significantly high risk of adverse outcomes including heart failure and death. The "mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa" is relatively avascular and offers little resistance to the spread of abscesses, aneurysm, and fistula formation. Aorto-cavitary fistulous tract formation in the setting of native valve infective endocarditis is associated with higher rates of heart failure, ventricular septal defect, and atrioventricular block than nonruptured abscesses. Thus, a high index of suspicion is needed for rapid and accurate diagnosis, which can guide further management. A transesophageal echocardiogram is the preferred modality of investigation in such cases. Staphylococci are reported to be the most common pathogen involved. In addition to early antibiotic therapy, prompt surgical intervention might save lives in these scenarios. (C) 2016 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license