Congenital pulmonary arteriovenous fistula producing pulmonary arterial steal syndrome

Hemodynamic Assessment of a Large Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation in a Neonate: Case Report and Review of Literature

Herein we report the case of a neonate with a prenatally diagnosed large pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, managed with minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The combination of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Pressure Recording Analytical Method could guide neonatal management of critical cases of vascular anomalies: immediate data are offered to clinicians, from which therapeutic decisions such as timing of surgical resection are made to achieve a positive outcome. We also systemically collected and summarized information on patients' characteristics of previous cases reported in literature to data, and we compared them to our case.

Right pulmonary artery to left atrial fistula in a neonate: case report and review of the literature

A communication between the right pulmonary artery (RPA) and the left atrium is a rare congenital anomaly that presents with cyanosis and heart failure. We describe the surgical repair of an RPA to left atrial fistula using cardiopulmonary bypass in a neonate. Advanced imaging (computed tomography scan) guided the surgical approach. Although previous reports have associated a patent ductus arteriosus with high neonatal mortality, in our case, the ductus arteriosus was actually important for maintaining enough total pulmonary blood flow.

Right Pulmonary Artery to Left Atrium Communication

This is a collective review of 59 published cases of right pulmonary artery to left atrium communication in the English-language literature. In this article, we review the literature on the clinical presentation, anatomic variations, diagnostic features, and management considerations of previously reported cases. Two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac catheterization including selective angiography provided the necessary diagnostic information and defined the anatomy before surgery in all patients. Various management options including medical, surgical, and transcatheter closure have been reported. The lesions have been classified into four types (I, II, III, and IV) that have a bearing on the appropriate surgical approach and techniques of repair that are discussed in the text. Use of extracorporeal circulation may be considered in selected instances. The operative mortality rate during the earlier era (1950 to 1979) was high, at 22%. More recently, the mortality rate has approached zero. An individualized surgical approach depending on the type of surgical connections is recommended.

Surgical treatment of a fistula between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium: presentation of two cases and review of literature

OBJECTIVE

A direct communication between the pulmonary artery and the left atrium is a rare anomaly. On the basis of two cases of our own and a literature review of 49 cases, we focus on clinical presentation, anatomy, diagnosis, and the role of surgery.

METHODS

Two cases of a fistula between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium are described in a girl of 4 years and a boy of 15 years. Both presented with unexplained cyanosis. Diagnosis was made on echocardiography and angiography. The fistula was ligated using extracorporeal circulation in the first case and not in the second case.

RESULTS

The surgical results were successful with resolution of the cyanosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In newborns, urgent surgery may be necessary. In other patients, early elective surgical correction should be performed to prevent complications, especially systemic and cerebral emboli, cerebral abscesses, and rupture of aneurysmal fistulas. Complete cure can be achieved by ligation and possible division or by intracardiac repair.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in the newborn: a familial case

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare cause of cyanosis in the newborn with nine previously reported cases. Typical signs at presentation include cyanosis, murmur, and congestive heart failure. Abnormality on chest x-ray is common with cardiomegaly, oligemia, and focal pulmonary density. There is a male predominance, unlike older children and adults with PAVM. Familial cases of PAVM have been reported with Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome. We report a familial case of PAVM presenting in the newborn.

Pulmonary artery to the left atrium fistula as an unusual cause of cyanosis in the newborn

A fistula between the pulmonary artery (PA) and the left atrium (LA) is a rare form of congenital heart disease, 34 cases having been described in the literature, all from the right pulmonary artery (RPA). Only six cases were diagnosed in the newborn period. We report such a case, diagnosed at 1 day of age by Doppler echocardiography, with an unusual site of the fistula.

Evaluation of pulmonary vascular resistance in the presence of a large pulmonary arteriovenous malformation

A 1 day old infant presented with severe cyanosis and congestive heart failure. Cardiac catheterization confirmed the clinical suspicion of a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation of the right lower lobe. Catheter occlusion of the right lower pulmonary artery allowed evaluation of the integrity of the remaining pulmonary vascular bed as well as improvement of the patient's hemodynamic condition pending more definitive therapy.