Congenital unilateral pulmonary venous atresia: definitive diagnosis and treatment

Pediatr Cardiol. 2003 Jan-Feb;24(1):73-9. doi: 10.1007/s00246-002-0220-6. Epub 2002 Sep 25.

Abstract

Three cases of unilateral right-sided pulmonary venous atresia were evaluated over an 18-year period. These bring the total number of cases to 25 in the literature. The clinical presentation of all these patients was similar and consisted of recurrent pulmonary infections, asthma-like symptoms, and exercise intolerance. The patients presented in 1982 (patient 1, a 12-year-old boy), 1994 (patient 2, a 9-year-old girl), and 1999 (patient 3, a 13-year-old boy). All patients were evaluated with a chest roentgenogram, and patients 1 and 2 had a ventilation and perfusion scan. Patients 1 and 3 also had cardiac catheterization and pulmonary angiography. Patient 2 had a magnetic resonance imaging study of the chest. Only patient 3 had wedge pulmonary angiography. Although a rare congenital defect, this diagnosis should be strongly suspected based on the typical clinical presentation and the preliminary studies, such as the chest roentgenogram and ventilation and perfusion scan. However, for definitive diagnosis, cardiac catheterization with wedge pulmonary angiography is necessary. Anastomosis of the atretic pulmonary veins to the left atrium is a theoretical consideration. However, this may not be feasible due to pulmonary venous anatomy or significant pulmonary dysfunction with pulmonary vascular changes. In these circumstances, we recommend performing pneumonectomy to remove the nidus for repeated bouts of pulmonary infections, to eliminate the left-to-right shunt, and to eliminate the dead space contributing to exercise intolerance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Angiography
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Atresia / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Atresia / surgery
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Veins / surgery
  • Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease / surgery
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative