Case presentation: a gastroventricular fistula resulting from peptic ulcer disease

Gastroventricular fistula is rarely entertained in the differential diagnoses of gastrointestinal bleeding. In fact, most diagnoses are made during postmortem examinations. This article presents a patient who had a gastroventricular fistula develop, and with prompt surgical intervention, had a successful outcome. This patient also may be the only known survivor of such a catastrophic event. This article also discusses the predisposing factors that, when combined with uncontrollable gastrointestinal hemorrhage, suggest a diagnosis of gastroventricular fistula. A high degree of suspicion is required for early diagnosis, prompt surgical repair, and survival.