Symptoms are abdominal pain, vomiting blood and/or passing dark blood from the rectum. The patients usually have either advanced cancer or a previous operation. This condition requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
There are two types of aorto fistulas:
- Aorto-enteric fistula – the connection between the aorta and the intestinal tract (usually the esophagus or small bowel)
- Aorto-bronchial fistula – connection between the aorta and the respiratory tract (the lung or trachea). Symptoms are chest pain, and/or vomiting blood