title: Is it possible to treat aorto-esophageal fistula with endovascular management?
abstract: Management of aorto-esophageal fistula has no consensus, currently. Aorto-esophageal fistula remains a life-threatening condition and has high mortality and morbidity rates. Endovascular therapy is a favorable choice for thoracic aortic disease, in recent years. We present our experience initially managed with endovascular therapy, but there was a re-hemorrhage event with suboptimal results. Aortic bypass surgery and plastic surgery of the esophagus have been performed, subsequently. The aorto-esophageal fistula was finally resolved by surgical management. We conclude that endovascular therapy is a reasonable method for aorto-esophageal fistula in the acute hemorrhagic phase, but early treatment of an erosive esophagus is suggested to avoid further morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular surgery, Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, and China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. s831012kimo@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Wei-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Ping-Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ming-Li
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000601:surgery*