Secondary aortoesophageal fistula after thoracic aortic aneurysm endovascular repair: literature review and new insights regarding the hypothesized mechanisms

Background: Endovascular aortic repair was first performed nearly two decades ago and has become a well-established alternative therapy for many thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. Early survival results with the endovascular aortic repair were impressive, but it also brought many complications. Aortoesophageal fistula is little-known and may be underestimated because it is an unusual complication of thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Objective: To provide a review of the general features of aortoesophageal fistula as a little-known complication after thoracic endovascular aortic repair and to present a new insight regarding the hypothesized mechanisms of this complication based on clinical experience. Methods: The new insights regarding the hypothesized mechanisms built on the literature review and clinical experience. Literature Review from PubMed and Web of Knowledge for relevant studies with English paper. Searches were performed without year, and used the combinations of the following key words: "thoracic aortic aneurysm", "endovascular", "aortoesophageal fistula", "complication". Results: The authors' hypothesized mechanisms of aortoesophageal fistula after thoracic aortic aneurysm endovascular repair include the relatively thin vessel wall on thoracic aortic aneurysm hard to prevent the relatively rigid stent graft projecting the aortic and direct erosion into the esophagus. Conclusion: Selecting flexibility and appropriate size stent graft, avoiding the thin aortic wall, and identifying the risk factors may reduce the morbidity of complications with aortoesophageal fistula after thoracic aortic aneurysm endovascular repair.