2006 Volume 15 Issue 7 Pages 611-614
We describe our experience with a 79-year-old man who had a ruptured inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm with an aortocaval fistula. The patient had low back pain, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Four days later, thoracic discomfort developed. He consulted a physician and was found to have electrocardiographic abnormalities, renal failure, and a pulsating abdominal mass. He was therefore transferred to our hospital. An aortocaval fistula caused by rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm was diagnosed, and surgery was performed. An inflammatory abdominal aneurysm was diagnosed on the basis of intraoperative findings. Hemodynamics were maintained with the use of an autologous blood recovery system. A good surgical field was obtained, and the fistula was closed. After surgery, symptoms promptly resolved, and the patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition. Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms are rarely associated with aortocaval fistulas. We report this case, along with a review of the literature.
