ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize the prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics of anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the aorta( AOPA ) ,and describe the diagnostic and clinical outcomes of fetal AOPA . Methods Echocardiographic characteristics of 3 fetuses with AOPA were reviewed . The ultrasonographic features were comparatively analyzed with postpartum autopsy findings . The relevant literature were reviewed and the experience of prenatal diagnosis of AOPA were summarized . Results In 3 cases with AOPA ,2 cases were the proximal type and anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery from the aorta ,of them ,one was accompanied with coarctation of the aorta , the other was accompanied with aortopulmonary window . One case was the distal type and anomalous origin of left pulmonary artery from the left innominate aorta ,it was only associated with mirror right aortic arch and right ductus arteriosus . Ultrasound characteristics were no bifurcation in distal pulmonary artery ,main trunk of pulmonary artery extends directly to one branch ,the other branch originated from the ascending aorta or left innominate artery . Three cases were confirmed by postpartum autopsy . Conclusions There are some characteristic signs on ultrasonic features of AOPA . Prenatal ultrasound has important value for diagnosis of AOPA .
ABSTRACT
Anomalous origin of a pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta is a congenital defect that can be complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension, typically due to vascular disease if the anomaly is left uncorrected past 6 months of age. We describe a unique case of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension with this defect in a 1-month-old infant unexpectedly caused instead by bronchial compression from her dilated left pulmonary artery.