A Rare Etiology of Heart Failure: Traumatic Arteriovenous Fistula Due to Stab Injury 17 Years Ago

Abstract

Background: Although traumatic fistula is frequentlyencountered, high-output heart failure due to fistula isa very rare condition. Despite an indefinitive history oftrauma, arteriovenous (AV) fistula may develop insidiously, and therefore identification of a shunt is highlyimportant for treatment. Case Report: Here we report a 46-year-old male patient with heart failure due to traumatic femoral arterio- venous fistula developed following a penetrating stabinjury 17 years ago.Conclusion: Traumatic AV fistula is a curable cause ofheart failure. Also, careful examination of the patient isas significant as radiological imaging methods.