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Multiple pulmonary artery aneurysms due to infective endocarditis
A Kürşat Bozkurt1, Funda Oztunç, Canan Akman
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. akbozkurt@yahoo.com
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|February 28, 2003
Summary
A child with staphylococcal endocarditis developed pulmonary artery aneurysms. Surgical intervention and subsequent spontaneous thrombotic resolution led to favorable outcomes, highlighting effective management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcal endocarditis can lead to serious complications in children.
- Ventricular septal defect is a congenital heart condition that can predispose patients to endocarditis.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old girl with a ventricular septal defect developed bilateral pulmonary artery aneurysms due to staphylococcal endocarditis.
- Computed tomography scans showed progressive enlargement of one aneurysm, indicating a risk of rupture.
- The patient presented with impending rupture and risk of life-threatening hemorrhage.
Findings:
- Urgent left upper lobectomy was performed due to the risk of aneurysm rupture.
- A second ipsilateral aneurysm was surgically managed by plication to exclude the sac.
- Subsequent operations included closure of the ventricular septal defect and removal of tricuspid valve vegetations.
- Follow-up revealed spontaneous thrombotic resolution of the right-sided aneurysms.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the successful surgical and medical management of complex pulmonary artery aneurysms in a pediatric patient.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing life-threatening complications of endocarditis.
- Spontaneous resolution of aneurysms is a possible favorable outcome, warranting continued monitoring.