Aortoesophageal fistula due to double aortic arch and prolonged nasogastric intubation: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
The authors present a patient and describe other cases from the literature which demonstrate that prolonged use of nasogastric tubes can result in life-threatening aortoesophageal fistula formation in patients with a double aortic arch.


CONCLUSIONS
Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an abnormal communication between the esophagus and the aorta. It can cause massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We present an infant with an operatively corrected double aortic arch, who developed this complication after prolonged nasogastric intubation.
van Woerkum
Floor
F
University Medical Centre Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Bont
Louis
L
Haas
Felix
F
Freund
Matthias
M
van Gestel
Sjef
S
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012769:Shock / Q000209:etiology; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000209:etiology*