Large pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm after CardioMEMS implantation: a case report

CardioMEMS heart failure (HF) system is an implantable wireless pressure sensor that is placed in a branch of the pulmonary artery (PA) for remote monitoring of PA pressures in patients with HF. Pulmonary artery injury/haemoptysis can occur during the sensor placement.

An 80-year-old male patient with HF with reduced ejection fraction (20%) underwent CardioMEMS HF system implantation for recurrent shortness of breath. He developed haemoptysis and dyspnoea during the procedure, which was managed with furosemide. The patient's computerized tomographic angiography showed a 3.4 cm pseudoaneurysm with active extravasation from the superior segmental branch of the left PA due to injury during device placement. The decision to embolize the pseudoaneurysm was made after a multi-disciplinary team meeting and discussion with the patient. The embolization procedure was carried out successfully with the final left pulmonary angiogram showed complete stasis and no further filling of the pseudoaneurysm sac.

The incidence of mortality in patients with PA injury from CardioMEMS devices is high, and therefore prompt diagnosis and management are critical. Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms are uncommon and present with haemoptysis. Transcatheter embolization has been shown to be a practical, effective, and safe therapeutic option in stable patients.