Agénésie isolée de l'artère pulmonaire. À propos de huit observations

Isolated left pulmonary artery hypoplasia

Pulmonary artery hypoplasia is a rare malformation of childhood that is usually associated with cardiac abnormalities. In the absence of these cardiac malformations it is discovered later when respiratory signs appear. It was a 56-year-old patient who had been referred for dyspnea with cough. The physical examination was normal. Chest X-ray, thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan and echocardiography suggested the diagnosis of hypoplasia of the left pulmonary artery without associated cardiac malformations. The early diagnosis of hypoplasia of the pulmonary artery allows the close follow-up of these patient and the planning of an adequate management.

Therapeutic strategies in children with an isolated unilaterally absent proximal pulmonary artery

Therapeutic strategies for isolated unilateral absence of a proximal pulmonary artery remain unclear. The natural history of the disease, or thrombosis of primary surgical anastomosis, leads to exclusion of the affected lung with increased risk of intrapulmonary bleeding, impaired quality of life, and shortened life expectancy. We herein describe our two-stage approach in a small series of patients starting with interventional catheterization followed by surgical anastomosis. Other medical interventions, such as anticoagulation and pulmonary vasodilatation, are key factors to successfully restore pulmonary circulation in this rare defect.