Transesophageal Echocardiography and the Intraoperative Diagnosis of a Right Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm

Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Associated With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in a Patient Presenting for Double Lung Transplant: Review of a Rare Disorder and Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography

“…Transesophageal echocardiography has been shown to be superior to CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and pulmonary angiography when PAA is associated with a thrombus and superior to TTE when PAA involves the right PAA, as right main stem bronchus may obscure visualization of a right PAA by TTE. 13 Gorcsan et al demonstrated, in their study of 48 patients presenting to their institution for lung transplantation, severe PH. Though association of PAAs with PH was not described by Gorcsan et al, they demonstrated the utility of TEE in diagnosing congenital heart disease and in altering the surgical management in 25% cases.…”

“…Ischemic chest pain due to left main coronary artery compression has also been described in patients in which PAA is associated with severe PAH. 11,12 A right PAA can also cause compression of the SVC 13 and lead to SVC syndrome. Hemoptysis has been described as a warning sign in patients with giant aneurysms or aneurysms that are imminent to rupture.…”