Lethal aorto-oesophageal fistula 16 years after aortic prosthetic reconstruction: Delayed rupture as cause of death

Abstract

The development of aorto-oesophageal fistula (AOF) is a rare complication following thoracic aortic repair. Mortality is high, in most cases due to fatal haematemesis. The clinical onset is variable, occurring approximately one year after surgery. We report a case of a lethal AOF in a 58-year-old man. He underwent open vascular surgery 16 years prior to his death due to a rupture of the descending thoracic aorta. In the early 2000s, the open vascular approach was replaced by thoracic endovascular aortic repair. As a result of this approach, the number of surgical complications has reduced, with the exception of AOF.