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Rupture of pulmonary artery aneurysm associated with persistent ductus arteriosus
Insights
A fatal pulmonary artery aneurysm rupture in a teen boy was linked to a congenital heart defect. This case highlights the risks of persistent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension in young patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Pulmonary Hypertension
Background:
- A 14-year-old male experienced fatal hemopericardium due to a ruptured pulmonary artery aneurysm.
- He had a history of persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with severe pulmonary hypertension diagnosed in infancy.
- Previous attempts to close the PDA were unsuccessful due to high pulmonary resistance.
Abstract:
Fatal haemopericardium occurred in a 14-year-old boy after rupture of a pulmonary artery aneurysm. Persistent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary hypertension was confirmed by cardiac catheterisation when he was 4 weeks old. Attempted closure of the ductus at 4 years had not been possible because of apparent high pulmonary resistance. Exercise tolerance had been good enough to permit competitive horse riding up to the day of death. Light and electron microsocpy showed widespread cystic medionecrosis of the elastic pulmonary arteries.