SURVIVAL AFTER ABERRANT RIGHT SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY-ESOPHAGEAL FISTULA - CASE-REPORT AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

Development of a fistula between an aberrant right subclavian artery a nd the esophagus is a rare cause of heretofore fatal hematemesis. We r eport the first known survivor of this devastating complication of the most common aortic arch anomaly. Intraoperative esophagogastroduodeno scopy, intraesophageal balloon tamponade, and arteriography were the k eys to successful management, This lesion should be suspected in the s etting of bright red, ''arterial'' hematemesis. Prolonged nasogastric and/or endotracheal intubation should be avoided in patients with a kn own aberrant right subclavian artery or other aortic arch anomaly.