title: Endovascular treatment of acute bleeding complications in traumatic aortic rupture and aortobronchial fistula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Herein we report our experience in placement of endovascular stentgrafts in the descending aorta in patients with acute bleeding complications due to traumatic rupture or aortobronchial fistula.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients (one woman, five men, mean age 47+/-19 years) were treated from September 1995 to February 2000 by implantation of endovascular stentgrafts in the descending aorta. Indications included traumatic ruptures of the aortic isthmus (n=3) and aortobronchial fistulas (n=3). All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia. The implants were introduced under fluoroscopic guidance via the aorta (n=1), the iliac (n=4) or femoral (n=2) artery, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All aortobronchial fistulas and ruptures were sealed up successfully. There was no perioperative morbidity and no procedure-related morbidity except one patient who received aortofemoral reconstruction because of iliac occlusive disease. All patients are alive and well after a mean follow-up of 31 months (range 6-60). Two patients had recurrent hemoptysis, in one case, the patient received a second implant (distal extension), the other patient was managed conservatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular treatment by a stentgraft is a safe and reliable procedure in the management of acute bleeding complications in patients with aortic rupture or aortobronchial fistulas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101, Mainz, Germany. dorweiler@htg.klinik.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dorweiler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dueber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neufang
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmiedt
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pitton
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oelert
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*