Delayed presentation of aortoesophageal fistula after endovascular repair

The incidence of aortoesophageal fistula after thoracic endovascular aortic repair has increased following an increase in thoracic endovascular aortic procedures. A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with aortoesophageal fistula 6 years after thoracic endovascular aortic repair of a descending aortic aneurysm. Due to massive hematemesis and instability, he underwent a left thoracotomy, graft repair of the aorta with stent removal, gastrostomy, and proximal esophagostomy. Unfortunately, he died 1 week later due to sepsis. Aortoesophageal fistula may present long after thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and clinicians treating such cases should always be aware of this complication.

Source: Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals - December 10, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Kouritas, V. K., Dedeilias, P., Sotiriou, K., Klimopoulos, S. Tags: Cardiovascular Source Type: research