title: Aortocaval fistula associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm: a diagnostic challenge.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical features with the best preoperative diagnostic value for aortocaval fistulas (ACF) associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A review of our experience of seven patients presenting ACF between 1980 and 1994 as well as an extensive study of the literature provide a clearer picture of the signs and symptoms allowing diagnosis of ACF: edema of the lower extremities and signs of venous hypertension are the most predictive findings; continuous abdominal murmur is noted in 66% of cases and is of good diagnostic value.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Cardio-Vasculaire, Hôpital Cantonal Universitairede Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bednarkiewicz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pretre
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalangos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Khatchatourian
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bruschweiler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faidutti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014684:Venae Cavae / Q000002:abnormalities*