Endovascular therapy for tracheoinnominate artery fistula: a temporizing measure

Abstract

Tracheoinnominate artery fistula remains an uncommon, highly fatal complication of tracheostomy and peritracheal pathology. Endovascular placement of a covered stent can provide control of the fistula. Depending on the conditions of the trachea and peritracheal tissues, the fistula may heal or the stent may become infected and/or further erode into the trachea. We report on a case of a patient with a tracheoinnominate artery fistula related to peritracheal tumor invasion, radiation therapy, and tracheostomy. The fistula was initially excluded with a covered stent, but a few weeks later hemoptysis recurred secondary to deep tracheal erosion by the covered stent.