Traumatic arteriovenous fistula with serious haemodynamic repercussions: endovascular treatment

Major abdominal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare clinical condition defined as an abnormal communication between the aorta or iliac arteries and the inferior vena cava or the iliac or renal veins. Penetrating trauma, including iatrogenic injuries, accounts for less than 20% of these AVFs. Endovascular techniques were useful in the management of vascular lesions. The authors report the case of a patient with high-output heart failure and high-flow AVF between the left external iliac artery and the left external iliac vein manifested 17 years after a gunshot wound. Endovascular approach was satisfactorily performed with the implantation of a septal occlusion device to interrupt abnormal vascular communication and preserve artery and vein patency. There were improvement of symptoms and control images showed arteriovenous communication closure.