Arteriovenous fistula secondary to rupture of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm: Report of five cases

Five patients with an acute spontaneous arteriovenous fistula as a result of rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms into the inferior vena cava of iliac vein are presented. A high mortality usually accompanies this rather infrequent complication of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The pathologic and physiologic aspects of this catastrophic event are discussed with emphasis on the variation of operative management necessary for a successful outcome.