AORTOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA AFTER REPAIR OF DESCENDING AORTIC DISSECTION

The development of aortoesophageal fistula after aortic repair is rare . We describe a patient who presented with hematemesis 4 months after emergent repair of a descending thoracic aortic dissection using a pro sthetic graft. Diagnosis was supported by computed tomographic, angiog raphic, and endoscopic findings. Resection of the involved graft was p erformed through a left thoracotomy after placement of an ascending ao rta-to-abdominal aorta conduit through an anterior approach. The patie nt died of uncontrollable bleeding a few hours after the procedure. Su rgical intervention offers the potential for cue in this otherwise uni formly fatal condition. But like medical therapy, operative management has thus far been associated with 100% mortality.