title: Primary aortoenteric fistula in the Emergency Department.
abstract: A primary aortoenteric fistula is a rare, life-threatening cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Primary aortoenteric fistula results most commonly from an abdominal aortic aneurysm, with the fistula forming most often between the aorta and the third portion of the duodenum. Often, the classic triad of abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and pulsatile mass is absent. A heraldic bleed frequently precedes lethal exsanguination from a primary aortoenteric fistula. Patient survival is dependent on prompt diagnosis and emergent therapeutic laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, West Penn Allegheny Health System, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212-4772, USA.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Mirarchi
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Scheatzle
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mitre
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004630:Emergencies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging