title: Aortoenteric fistulas. A study of 28 autopsied cases spanning 25 years.
abstract: Among 28 autopsied patients with aortoenteric fistulas, the mean age was 67 years (range, 19 to 91 years) and 23 (82%) were men. The most common causes were aortobifemoral bypass grafts (16 cases [57%]) and gastrointestinal carcinomas (6 cases [21%]). Fistulas developed at proximal anastomosis sites in 15 of 16 patients with grafts and were associated with radiation injury in 3 of 6 patients with carcinomas. Aortoenteric fistulas involved the duodenum in 16 (57%), esophagus in 9 (32%), and other gastrointestinal sites in 3 patients (11%). They involved the abdominal aorta in 20 cases (71%) and descending thoracic aorta in 8 cases (29%). Exsanguination from aortoenteric fistulas was the cause of death in 23 cases (82%). Major risk factors for aortoenteric fistulas are aortic bypass grafts and gastrointestinal carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D001025:Aortitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged