CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE IN YOUNG BOY DUE TO A POST TRAUMATIC ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA

Abstract

Arterio-venous fistulas are uncommon but treatable cause of congestive cardiac failure in all age groups. Early diagnosis and early corrective surgery is the cornerstone in the management of such cases and leads to almost complete cure of heart failure. Trauma either in the form of iatrogenic interventions or penetrating injuries is the most common cause of AV fistulas in adult population.1 Here we present a case of 16 years old male patient who developed congestive cardiac failure due to post traumatic femoral AV fistula 8 years after an accidental gunshot injury. This case emphasises the importance of early diagnosis in such cases using non-interventional modalities such as colour Doppler and the often neglected thorough physical examination.