We report a large congenital fistula connecting the descending thoracic aorta to the right upper pulmonary vein in a newborn baby presenting on the seventh day of life with cardiac failure and a continuous murmur heard posteriorly. The fistula was detected echocardiographically, and shown at cardiac catheterisation not to be suitable for percutaneous occlusion. The anatomy of the fistula was confirmed at surgery, when it was ligated successfully.

Unrecognized pseudoaneurysm or rupture of a pulmonary artery is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of pulmonary arterial catheterization. Herein, we describe a teenage patient with a pulmonary arterial pseudoaneurysm, probably iatrogenic, who presented with haemoptysis following catheterization of the right heart. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully embolized using coils inserted by catheter. Increased awareness of this lesion, its rapid recognition, and prompt therapy are the keys to a successful outcome.