Progressive dyspnea in patient with dilatation of main pulmonary artery and its branches

Abstract

Dilatation of the pulmonary artery (PA) can cause compression of the surrounding structures. We are presenting a rare case of dilatation of the main pulmonary artery and its branches with tracheobronchial compression and consecutive atelectasis of the right upper lobe segment. A 73-year-old woman was referred to cardiac examination because of the progressive dyspnea and detected dilated pulmonary artery on chest radiography. On echocardiography was revealed a dilatation of the main pulmonary artery and its branches, which was later confirmed with computerized tomography (CT) angiography. On CT angiography was also detected tracheobronchial tree compression with a consecutive atelectasis of the right upper lobe segment. Because of the progressive dyspnea and CT angiography findings, the patient was referred to a cardiac surgeon for further treatment, but she was rejected because of the high operative risk.