Branches of the left pulmonary artery supplying the basal segments of the lung

The studies were carried out on 100 left lungs taken from dead human bodies of both sexes whose age varied from 16 to 80 years. The pulmonary artery and the bronchus were injected with a 65% solution of duracryl and then digested in sulfuric acid. The specimens obtained were then examined to determine the number and dimensions of the branches of the basal portion of the left pulmonary artery penetrating into the basal segments of the left lower pulmonary lobe. Their length was 60 mm at the most, and their diameter 9.8 mm. Three types of ramification of the basal portion of the left pulmonary artery were distinguished on the basis of the trunks, segmental and subsegmental branches present. In 70% of the cases the branches penetrating into the basal segments showed tree-like type, in 3% of the cases showed bushy-like type, and in 27% of the cases middle type.     

The ventilatory patterns of the left upper lobe of lung

Having knowledge on models of the bronchial tree branching, is of a special interest for clinical and surgical pulmology, because the hemilobectomy, segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy are always determined by intralobar, intrasegmental and intrasubsegmental bronchial ramification. Investigations were performed on 100 lungs of children and adults of both sexes, one day to 85 years old, randomly chosen. There are two main types of branching of the left upper lobe bronchus: the bifurcation pattern as dominant model in 74% and the trifurcation model found in 26%. Out of 100 lungs studied, 21 lungs had the ventilatory variations of the bronchopulmonary segments. The classification and categorization of the ventilatory of bronchopulmonary segments of the left upper lobe of lung were made. This classification contains 5 categories and 8 subcategories.     

Branches of the right pulmonary artery supplying the basal segments of the lung.

The studies were carried out on 100 right lungs taken from dead human bodies of both sexes whose age varied from 16 to 81 years. The pulmonary artery and the bronchus were injected with a 65% solution of duracryl and then digested in sulfuric acid. The specimens obtained were then examined to determine the number and dimensions of the branches of the basal portion of the right pulmonary artery (RPA) penetrating into the basal segments of the right lower pulmonary lobe. Their length was 52 mm at the most, and their diameter 14 mm. Three types of ramification of the basal portion of the RPA were distinguished on the basis of the trunks, segmental and subsegmental branches present. In 72% of the cases the branches penetrating into the basal segments showed a tree-like type, in 2% of the cases a bushy-like type and in 26% of the cases a middle type.     

Fistula from left main coronary artery to pulmonary trunk

Netherlands Heart Journal -     

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery connected to the pulmonary artery in a 31-year-old woman

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery connected to the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital defect with a high mortality rate in infancy if left untreated. It may cause myocardial ischaemia and can lead to myocardial infarction, mitral dysfunction, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and sudden death. Without operation, survival into adulthood is rare. We report clinical findings, diagnostic characteristics and therapy in a 31-year-old woman with ALCAPA and preserved left ventricular function.     

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery treated by palliative Vineberg operation in an infant

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery was diagnosed in an infant girl who had evidence of transmural myocardial infarction of the free wall of the left ventricle. At age 13 months, she underwent a palliative left Vineberg implant, and remained asymptomatic until she was 8 years of age. At that time, she underwent suturing of the left coronary ostium for obliteration of the left coronary shunt at the pulmonary artery. At age 13, she underwent aortocoronary bypass to the left main coronary artery, with end-to-end anastomosis. The patient remains asymptomatic to date. We believe that this is the first reported case of a Vineberg operation performed in an infant for palliation of an anomalous left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery. This method allows time for the development of collateral circulation to the left coronary artery before definitive surgery is performed.     

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in plasma obtained from the pulmonary artery and left ventricle of man

Dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity (DBH) has been measured in plasma obtained simultaneously from the pulmonary artery and left ventricle of fourteen patients who underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterisation. In the majority of these subjects the levels of enzyme activity in the arterial and venous blood were similar, indicating that inactivation of DBH had not occurred in its passage through the pulmonary circulation. One patient with pulmonary hypertension had a large a-v difference in enzyme activity that may have been caused by altered pulmonary haemodynamics. Three of the five subjects that undertook a standardised exercise test on a bicycle ergometer showed a significant increase in plasma DBH activity. There was no correlation between the increases in DBH activity and in cardiac index and heart rate.     

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery: Scintigraphic diagnosis with Tc 99m lung scan

A case of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is reported. The diagnosis was made on the basis of characteristic Tc 99m lung scan findings and was confirmed by subsequent angiocardiography and surgery.     

Quadricuspid pulmonary valve and left pulmonary artery aneurysm in an asymptomatic patient assessed by cardiovascular MRI

We present a coincidental finding of quadricuspid pulmonary valve and left pulmonary artery aneurysm. As both the pulmonary valve and the pulmonary trunk with its main branches are hard to visualise with cardiac ultrasound, most abnormalities described so far are from autopsy series. With the increasing use of CMR and its excellent potential for visualising both pulmonary valve and pulmonary arteries, we believe more cases will be discovered in the near future. Although pulmonary artery aneurysm are rare, timely detection may prevent lethal bleeding.     

Effect of left atrial compliance on pulmonary artery pressure: a case report

Background

Pericardial tumours are unusual and may be difficult to characterise with imaging. They manifest as large, non-contractile, solid masses within the pericardium. Presenting symptoms include heart failure, arrythmias, sudden death, cyanosis and chest pain.

Case presentation

We describe a case of massive pericardial fibroma in a 52 year old woman, who presented with palpitations only.

Conclusion

We illustrate the different imaging modalities available to image this tumour prior to surgical resection, and indicate the strengths and weaknesses of each.     

Origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary artery: An unusual cause of angina in a middle-aged woman

A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our institution with angina pectoris and a systolic murmur. At cardiac catheterization, she was found to have an anomalous origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk. There was also an associated atrial septal defect and a bicuspid aortic valve.