Abstract

MENDEZ, Gonzalo; ANDRADE, Rodrigo; AMARAL, Mauricio  and  LLAMBI, Laura. Pulmonary Artery Aneurysms Associated to Pulmonary Valve : report of a rare case of heart disease in the adult. Arch. Med Int [online]. 2013, vol.35, n.1, pp.19-22. ISSN 0250-3816.

Abstract: Arch Med Interna 2013 - 35(1):19-22 The Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm is a rare condition that accounts for 8 to 10% of all congenital heart diseases. It is classified according to its anatomy as typical, with mild/moderate dysplasia and with severe dysplasia. Severity is defined based on the pressure gradient, being: mild < 30 mmHg, moderate between 30 and 80 mmHg and severe > 80 mmHg. The percutaneous pulmonary valve repair is a safe and effective technique that entails a low incidence of complications and a low mortality rate. It is the procedure of choice at all ages, regardless of the anatomical type. It is indicated in cases of moderate to severe stenosis or in the presence of symptoms, being less effective in cases that occur with dysplastic valves. Surgery is indicated when the percutaneous route has failed. Pulmonary artery aneurysms have a low prevalence; being there only isolated reports and small case series, their prevalence is difficult to estimate. They usually occur in patients that are either asymptomatic or presenting with non specific symptoms; diagnosis typically results from incidental imaging findings. These aneurysms may be congenital or acquired, being the former associated to additional cardiovascular malformations. Acquired PA aneurysms may be secondary to pulmonary hypertension, which may in turn be primary or secondary to episodes of pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary valve stenosis, vasculitis, infections, malignancies or resulting from iatrogenia. The most feared complication of the aneurysm is its rupture, a highly lethal event. Medical therapy is limited, and requires keeping pulmonary hypertension under control and acting upon the root cause in the secondary cases. Surgical therapy is reserved only to unstable aneurysms, patients with haemoptysis, or aneurysms over 60

Keywords : Pulmonary stenosis; Valvuloplasty; Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm; Congenital Heart Disease.

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