A fistula between an artery or vein and a bronchus can be a life-threatening event.
Causes of the fistula:
(1) penetrating chest trauma
(2) surgery (lung transplant, pneumonectomy, bronchial sleeve resection, cardiopulmonary bypass)
(3) lung tumor
(4) tuberculosis
(5) hilar silicosis
(6) mechanical ventilation with high ventilatory pressure in neonates
Complications:
(1) hemorrhage into the lungs, with hemoptysis
(2) air embolism
