Multimodality imaging of the anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta in an adult (hemitruncus arteriosus)

Abstract

Anomalous origin of the pulmonary artery branches is a rare phenomenon. We describe a case of an adult with anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery (hemitruncus arteriosus) associated with patent ductus arteriosus. Non-invasive imaging studies played an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up. Angiography allowed to determine the severity of pulmonary hypertension. He underwent surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus, redirection of right pulmonary artery and atrioseptostomy with decrease of the pulmonary pressure in the follow-up. A high index of clinical suspicion of this entity is required in adults with heart failure, recurrent hemoptysis and pulmonary hypertension, because it could go unnoticed.

Keywords: Adult; Angiography; Anomalous origin of pulmonary artery (hemitruncus arteriosus); Noninvasive imaging studies; Surgery.