Fistula from right internal mammary artery to superior vena cava after use of a laser sheath to extract a pacemaker lead.

ABSTRACT

A 55-year-old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion due to a right internal mammary artery-to-superior vena cava arteriovenous fistula that occurred after pacemaker lead extraction with a laser sheath. The fistula was successfully repaired by placing a covered stent in the right internal mammary artery. In this unusual location, endovascular stenting is a reasonable alternative to coil embolization or surgical repair of an arteriovenous fistula resulting from laser lead extraction.