Intraoperative pulmonary artery stenting in aortoarteritis: a hybrid procedure

Abstract

A 40-year old male presented with history of dyspnea and recurrent syncope. Preliminary evaluation revealed findings suggestive of severe pulmonary hypertension. His echocardiogram revealed severe stenosis of the right pulmonary artery (RPA) with severe pulmonary hypertension, which was confirmed on 64-slice MSCT. On cardiac catheterization, the stenotic segment could not be crossed. Hence he underwent surgical reconstruction of the RPA. Post-operatively, he developed arterial desaturation and hypotension due to compression of the reconstructed segment by the ascending aorta. Subsequently, intraoperative direct stenting of the RPA was performed on a beating heart. Post-procedure there was a significant drop in right heart pressures which was sustained on 3-month follow up. The patient also had occlusion of the Coeliac and Superior Mesenteric arteries which was demonstrated on MSCT and angiography, suggesting Aortoarteritis as the etiology. This case illustrates an unusual presentation of Aortoarteritis and the role of hybrid procedures in situations where percutaneous intervention may not be technically feasible.