A review of aortopulmonary fistulas in aortic dissection

Abstract

Aortopulmonary fistula is an exceedingly rare complication of aortic dissection. Only 4 cases in acute dissection and 8 cases in the chronic one have been published previously. We report the thirteenth case and a review of the literature. A man underwent an operation for type A aortic dissection. At surgery, a fistula was discovered between the false lumen and the main pulmonary artery, although the preoperative investigations did not suggest such a complication.