Abstract
Aorto-caval fistula is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysms that results in extremely high pressure in the venous bloodstream and congestive heart failure. We describe a 79-year-old woman who presented in a state of shock with an abdominal aortic aneurysm rupturing into the inferior vena cava, low back pain, syncope and chest discomfort. She was transferred to our hospital where we discovered low blood pressure, leg edema and a pulsating abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography revealed aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and bilateral common and bilateral internal iliac arteries as well as an aortocaval fistula of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Emergency surgical repair of the fistula and an aorto-bifemoral arterial bypass resulted in a good postoperative course.
