engleski

Thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture into the esophagus

Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm usually are asymptomatic until the aneurysm expands or until profound bleeding starts. Aorto-esophageal fistula is a relatively rare complication of thoracic aortic aneurysm and rupture into the esophagus usually causes acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding and hematemesis with high mortality rate. Patients with an aorto-esophageal fistula, in majority of cases, die suddenly and unexpectedly once a massive bleeding occurs, therefore early diagnosis and surgical treatment are crucial for survival. Thus, aorto-esophageal fistula represent not only diagnostic challenge but therapeutic as well due to the high mortality rate of the surgical treatment. It is important to stress out that this rare but fatal condition should be considered in any patient with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding because prompt surgical treatment is crucial for survival. Here we report a case of thoracic aortic aneurysm with aorto-esophageal fistula characterized by slow bleeding without any typical signs or symptoms, followed by abrupt onset of haemhorragic shock and death.

thoracic aortic aneurysm; aorto-esophageal fistula; gastrointestinal bleeding; sudden death

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