Traumatic thoracic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare vascular lesion. Proctor first reported a traumatic AVF between the thoracic aorta and left in nominate vein in 1950. Since that time, fewer than 20 such cases have been re ported. The authors present the rare case of a stab-induced AVF between the innominate artery and superior vena cava. The keys to a successful outcome with this injury include a high index of suspicion, careful physical examination, liberal use of angiography, and immedi ate operative repair.
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