Traumatic transection of descending thoracic aorta: A rare cause of pulmonary vein obstruction

• Main Authors: Alok Kumar, Bhupesh Kumar, Rupesh Kumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia
• Subjects: Aortic transection; pulmonary vein; transesophageal echocardiography
• Online Access: http://www.annals.in/article.asp?issn=0971-9784;year=2018;volume=21;issue=3;spage=293;epage=296;aulast=Kumar

Pulmonary vein obstruction is rare condition characterized by challenging diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis at advanced stage. Computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are often essential to reach a final diagnosis. External compression of pulmonary vein resulting from the mass effect of pseudoaneurysm and perianeurysmal hematoma due to aortic transection is extremely rare. We describe a case of traumatic transection of descending thoracic aorta where TEE was instrumental in the diagnosis of left upper pulmonary vein obstruction and help in the modification of the surgical plan.