Pulmonary infarction after repair of type B aortic dissection.

Abstract

Lung infarction after intrathoracic surgery is a life-threatening complication that needs urgent intervention. Although the exact etiology is not known, pulmonary infarction may be suspected for patients presenting with consolidation of the lung after intrathoracic surgery. We report a very rare case of pulmonary infarction after successful surgical treatment of a type B aortic dissection. The pulmonary infarction was treated by intrapericardial pneumonectomy. This article discusses possible etiology and management of such patients. A high index of clinical suspicion and timely investigations may allow early detection of this unusual event and avoid fatal outcomes.

• Authors: Imthiaz Manoly, Edwin B C Woo, Charles Peebles, Saud Khawaja
• Journal: The Annals of thoracic surgery (Ann Thorac Surg) Vol. 94 Issue 1 Pg. e13-5 (Jul 2012) ISSN: 1552-6259 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22579906 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Aortic Dissection (surgery)
• Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic (surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (etiology, surgery)
• Pulmonary Infarction (etiology, surgery)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed