[Heart failure due to a postlaminectomy arteriovenous fistula].

The authors report a case of congestive heart failure as a consequence of traumatic postlumbar laminectomy arteriovenous fistula. A 49 years old female with the diagnosis of atrial septal defect was admitted at the hospital, complaining of dyspnea and peripheral edema. A hemodynamic study was performed and an arteriovenous fistula was detected between the iliac artery and vein, and arterial septal defect was excluded. Surgery for fistula closure was performed with great clinical improvement.