Endovascular repair of a chronic aortocaval fistula using a thoracic aortic endoprosthesis.

Penetrating abdominal trauma with injury to the aorta and vena cava usually requires emergent intervention and is frequently lethal. Formation of a chronic aortocaval fistula (ACF) is an uncommon late complication of these injuries. We report a case of an ACF presenting 17 years after a gunshot wound to the abdomen, with progressive congestive heart failure as the presenting symptom. The ACF was successfully treated with an endoprosthesis designed for the thoracic aorta.