Aortobronchial fistula after endovascular stent graft repair of the thoracic aorta

Endovascular stent graft repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms has been recently introduced as an alternative to conventional graft replaceme nt of the diseased aorta. As experience with this new technique accumulates , complications may occur. We herein report the case of a patient in whom w e observed distal migration with leak of an endovascular stent graft previo usly inserted in the descending thoracic aorta, associated with an aortobro nchial fistula. The urgent surgical treatment undertaken, which consisted o f graft replacement of the previously stented aorta, had a fatal outcome. ( C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.