A young patient with massive haematemesis

Abstract

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a rare and life-threatening cause of gastrointestinal haemorrhage which requires emergency surgical intervention. We report a case of aortoesophageal fistula due to previous endovascular stent grafting to the ascending thoracic aorta after previous traumatic injury. The patient presented with catastrophic haematemesis which was managed by repeated deployment of endovascular stent graft and aortic bypass surgery; however, the patient ultimately died due to massive haemoptysis. Copyright 2012 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.