Aortoesophageal fistula due to double aortic arch and prolonged nasogastric intubation: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: The authors present a patient and describe other cases from the literature which demonstrate that prolonged use of nasogastric tubes can result in life-threatening aortoesophageal fistula formation in patients with a double aortic arch.

Conclusion: Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an abnormal communication between the esophagus and the aorta. It can cause massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We present an infant with an operatively corrected double aortic arch, who developed this complication after prolonged nasogastric intubation.