Aortoenteric fistula. A complication of renal artery bypass graft

The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to aortoenteric fistula has increased in recent years consequent to more frequent aortic reconstructive procedures. It is necessary to approach any such patient with this diagnostic consideration in mind, since early specific therapy may decrease the mortality. In this setting, there is usually sufficient time available to perform definitive tests to establish the correct diagnosis. We report a 37-year-old patient in whom aortoenteric fistula developed following a renal artery bypass graft.