A case of aortocaval fistula associated with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Published in: KANTO Journal of Japanese Association for Acute Medicine Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 226 - 228
• Main Authors: Fujimoto, Ryouhei, Komatsu, Yumi, Imamura, Tomonori, Kanai, Masayuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Association for Acute Medicine of Kanto 31.12.2019; 日本救急医学会関東地方会
• Subjects: heart failure; lower abdominal pain; shock; ショック; 下腹部痛; 心不全
• ISSN: 0287-301X; 2434-2580
• DOI: 10.24697/jaamkanto.40.3_226

We report a rare case of aortocaval fistula (ACF) caused by the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) into the inferior vena cava (IVC). An 86-year old man was admitted to our hospital for dyspnea and lower abdominal pain. Abdominal enhanced CT scan showed ACF. However, the patient died while we were preparing for surgery. It is important to diagnose ACF quickly and certainly before cardiopulmonary arrest because it is associated with a low survival rate. ACF should be considered if patients have symptoms of heart failure with AAA, a pulsating mass in the abdomen, or continuous abdominal murmur.