Aortoenteric fistulas

Preview

Gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient who has undergone aortic reconstructive surgery, even though it was done years earlier, can be an ominous sign. After prolonged contact with the bowel wall, the prosthetic graft may cause erosion resulting in a fistula. A fistula along the suture line virtually always leads to devastating hemorrhage, and prompt surgical treatment is mandatory. The authors summarize how to identify the problem.