Fetal Diagnosis of Abnormal Origin of the Left Pulmonary Artery

Echocardiography. 2016 Aug;33(8):1258-61. doi: 10.1111/echo.13239. Epub 2016 May 1.

Abstract

Isolated anomalies of the branch pulmonary arteries are rare, more often occurring in the setting of complex congenital heart disease. These isolated anomalies are often not identified in the prenatal period. We describe two cases of isolated anomalies of the left pulmonary artery which were identified on fetal echocardiography and confirmed postnatally, an anomalous left pulmonary artery arising from the base of the left-sided brachiocephalic artery in the setting of a right-sided aortic arch, and a left pulmonary artery sling. These two cases support our current understanding of normal and abnormal development of the extrapericardial arterial vessels and highlight the importance of meticulous attention when sweeping from the three-vessel tracheal view.

Keywords: anomalous left pulmonary artery; fetal echocardiography; left pulmonary artery; left pulmonary artery sling.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*
  • Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging*