title: Spontaneous aortocaval fistula.
abstract: Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm into the inferior vena cava is uncommon. A classic syndrome of high-output heart failure, continuous abdominal bruit, and renal insufficiency has been described and permits a clinical diagnosis if an aortocaval fistula is considered in the differential diagnosis. Classic signs and symptoms can be misinterpreted and are present in less than 50% of cases. Physicians should consider abdominal ultrasonography and aortography in stable patients, followed by prompt surgical intervention. We report the case of a patient with an aortocaval fistula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Potyk
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Guthrie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000150:complications*; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities*