Arterioesophageal fistula secondary to rupture of an aberrant right subclavian artery aneurysm: a rare differential diagnosis in upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Massive hemorrhage after arterioesophageal fistula from an unknown aberrant subclavian artery

The aberrant right subclavian artery has an incidence of 0.5%-1% in the population, generally with retroesophageal location. It can lead to the formation of an arterio-esophageal fistula in patients with predisposing risk factors due to devices placed in esophageal or tracheal position, as it is particularly susceptible to extrinsic compression and pressure necrosis. We present the case of a patient with a postsurgical tracheoesophageal fistula, who developed massive bleeding due to an arterioesophageal fistula secondary to an unknown aberrant right subclavian artery. For hemostatic management, alternative maneuvers were performed, such as the placement of a Foley-type urinary catheter at the point of bleeding and the subsequent placement of a Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon in cranial position. Given the severity of the condition and the possible diagnostic delay, it seems appropriate to consider performing a preoperative CT angiography in patients with risk factors who undergo these procedures.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding From Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery-Esophageal Fistula

Background: The most common aortic arch abnormality is an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). ARSA-esophageal fistula is a rare sequela that can present with a life-threatening upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. Case Report: We report the case of an 88-year-old male who presented with signs of upper GI bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrated extrinsic compression of the upper third of the esophagus with ulceration. Imaging studies revealed ARSA posterior to the esophagus with pseudoaneurysm formation. These findings confirmed an upper GI bleed secondary to ARSA-esophageal fistula. The patient underwent prompt embolization of the ARSA pseudoaneurysm, followed a few days later by coil embolization of the ARSA pseudoaneurysm. Despite these interventions, the patient continued to have bleeding with anemia. He and his family opted to avoid any further interventions and instead pursued comfort care. The patient was discharged to hospice and died 3 months later. Conclusion: ARSA-esophageal fistula is a rare but potentially lethal cause of upper GI bleeding. Initial signs and symptoms can be subtle, but the presence of a GI bleed requires immediate stabilization. Surgical interventions have been shown to have longer-lasting success, but endovascular repair may be an option for patients who are deemed unfit for surgery but still require prompt stabilization. Regardless of the intervention, mortality rates for ARSA-esophageal fistula are high.

Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery-Esophageal Fistula in a Patient with a Prolonged Use of Nasogastric Tube: A Case Report and Literature Review

Arterial-esophageal fistula is a rare but potentially fatal complication. Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery is a rare congenital vascular anomaly that can cause esophageal compression, particularly when the proximal portion of the aberrant subclavian artery forms a Kommerell's diverticulum. Prolonged use of a nasogastric tube can cause pressure necrosis of the esophagus. We report a patient with massive gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to aberrant left subclavian artery-esophageal fistula after a prolonged use of nasogastric tube. A high index of suspicion is essential for better prognosis when a patient with congenital aortic arch anomaly shows upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Hybrid management of a ruptured right subclavian artery aneurysm dissection

Aberrant right subclavian artery is the most common congenital malformation of the aortic arch (0.4%-2.0%). Aneurysms of aberrant subclavian arteries are extremely rare. This results in little experience with their treatment. We describe a case of a patient who presented to the emergency department with a dissection of an aberrant right subclavian artery that later progressed to rupture. Besides hemodynamic instability, this caused an acute superior vena cava syndrome, making airway control difficult. In the operating room, we obtained proximal control through thoracic endovascular aortic repair; median sternotomy was performed for distal control and evacuation of massive hemomediastinum.

Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery-Esophageal Fistula in 20-Year-Old with VATER Association

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), the most common aortic arch abnormality, occurs in approximately 0.5 to 1.8% of the general population, with prevalence of up to 25% in those with esophageal atresia. Although ARSA is often asymptomatic, a fistulous tract into esophagus may develop with prolonged nasogastric tube placement or endotracheal intubation and lead to potentially fatal hematemesis. We present a first case of ARSA-esophageal fistula in a 20-year-old woman with VATER association in the absence of an esophageal anomaly and review 28 cases of ARSA-esophageal fistula reported in the literature to date. Requiring nasogastric and endotracheal tube placement for approximately 4 months, the patient had a prolonged hospital course and died after sudden hematemesis. An autopsy demonstrated an ARSA-esophageal fistula and no other source of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In patients with esophageal atresia requiring prolonged placement of an endotracheal or nasogastric tube, a screening imaging study and corrective surgery may be indicated. Although the mortality rate is still high, timely recognition and repair of ARSA-esophageal fistula appear to be improving. Given the potentially prolonged latency for its development with occasional presence of heralding symptoms, increased awareness may facilitate surgical intervention to prevent a catastrophic exsanguination.

Postmortem diagnosis of massive gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula

Case

Aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula is a rare, but fatal, complication. A 55-year-old febrile man with a nasogastric feeding tube developed sudden massive hematemesis and shock.

Outcome

Upper endoscopy revealed an intragastric hematoma with no active bleeding observed except for oozing from an esophageal tear. Enhanced computed tomography scan detected aberrant right subclavian artery but was unable to determine the bleeding source. Repeat endoscopy carried out on day 2 confirmed hemostasis and the disappearance of the intragastric hematoma. However, the patient suddenly developed recurrent massive hematemesis with refractory shock on day 4 and died. Postmortem computed tomography revealed endoscopic clips in contiguity with aberrant right subclavian artery; a final diagnosis of aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula was made.

Conclusion

Our case demonstrates aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula may present with transient spontaneous hematemesis in a state of shock, possibly related to fever of unknown origin, and is challenging to diagnose by repeated endoscopy once hematemesis develops.