Aorto-pulmonary fistula: a rare event in the evolution of a dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 1997 May;11(5):994-6. doi: 10.1016/s1010-7940(96)01141-4.

Abstract

The natural history of a thoracic aneurysm is usually towards the dissection or free rupture; rarely an aorto-pulmonary fistula can complicate this lesion. We present two cases of Aorto-pulmonary fistula as acute complication of an aneurysm of thoracic aorta; the etiopathology seem to be related to the same mechanism: a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta leading to a secondary fistulation in the main pulmonary artery. In our two cases the diagnosis was suggested by clinical findings and by Doppler-echocardiography. Both patients were managed surgically with success and both survived.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aorta, Thoracic
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / complications*
  • Aortic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Aortic Diseases / etiology*
  • Aortic Diseases / surgery
  • Aortic Dissection / complications*
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / diagnosis
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / etiology*
  • Arterio-Arterial Fistula / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery*