Aortocaval fistulas and the use of transvenous balloon tamponade

Six cases of acute aortocaval fistula are reported, which illustrate the difficulties of diagnosis and management in a rare life-threatening condition. Five cases arose from spontaneous rupture of aortic aneurysms and one from trauma. In four cases the diagnosis was made before surgery. Useful diagnostic features included inappropriate jugular venous distension in five patients, lower abdominal and trunk cyanosis in three patients and a palpable thrill in three patients. Preoperative diagnosis permitted attempts to control venous haemorrhage in three cases, one by balloons through the aortic sac and two by transvenous positioning of balloon catheters in the vena cava before aortic opening. The use of transvenous balloon catheters was found to be helpful in reducing haemorrhage. Four patients left hospital alive. Preoperative recognition of the signs of an acute aortocaval rupture and preliminary balloon tamponade appear to be valuable in the management of acute aortocaval fistulas.