[Aortoesophageal fistulae as a cause of fatal hemorrhage].

Aortoesophageal fistula is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, ranging from 0 to 2.3% in literature. The authors studied a group of 266 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding during the period of three years (1996-1998). According to two patient cases and the data from literature diagnostic methods, causes of aortoesophageal fistulas are analysed and the necessity of urgent closure of the fistulas is stressed. (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 15.)