Endovascular Treatment of an Iatrogenic Large Vessel Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting as High Output Heart Failure

Abstract

Formation of an iatrogenic chronic large vessel arteriovenous (AV) fistula is an uncommon, early or late complication of spine surgery and associated with serious consequences. Its diagnosis is often delayed for months or years after the occurrence and rarely only after the patient develops heart failure secondary to a mature AV fistula. We present the case of a 43-year-old man with high-output heart failure due to an iatrogenic large vessel AV fistula after lumbar disc surgery successfully treated with the endovascular technique.