Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01629-4 (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Case series of aortoenteric fistula: A rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding
Version: 
0 
Date: 
21 Sep 2020
Reviewer: 
Andrea Anderloni
Reviewer's report:
Manuscript Number: BMGE-D-20-00857
Full Title: Case Series of Aortoenteric Fistula: A Rare Cause of Gastrointestinal
Bleeding
I've read with great interest the case series by Jia Luo et al. Thay described 9
cases of gastrointestinal bleeding due to Aorto-enteric fistula, retrospectively
collected in last 14 years in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical
University. The Authors well described clinical presentation, preoperative
management, imaging and endoscopic findings. A detailed description of
surgical approach and outcomes are also provided. 
High morbidity and mortality characterize this rare condition. They concluded
that timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are crucial. 
In general the paper is of interest and I have only some minor revisions (listed
below) to be contemplated:
1) Considering its rare/very rare incidence and different clinical presentation
(such massive bleeding or stillicide lasting up to five months) which "typical" or
"red-flag" symptoms are to be addressed timely adding AEF to differential
diagnosis?
2) Due to its rarity (9 cases in about 13 years) it should be useful to describe,
even roughly, the prevalence of upper and lower GI bleeding cases per year at
your institution. 
3) Any additional "key-factor" could be described in order to better differentiate
primary and secondary aorto-enteric fistulas, in terms of preoperative
management and surgical/endovascular approaches. 
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