Pulmonary arterial compression syndrome caused by false aneurysm of left ventricular outflow tract

A 29 year old man experienced exertional dyspnea and coughing 3 1/2 years after insertion of a Braunwald-Cutter aortic valve prosthesis. Clinical examination suggested pulmonary arterial hypertension, and cardiac catheterization revealed a saccular lesion apparently arising from the left ventricular outflow tract and producing compression of the right pulmonary artery. Origin from the left ventricular outflow tract just under the aortic ring was confirmed at operation. The lesion apparently arose from an anular excavation related to previous endocarditis with abscess formation. Reported cases of similar aneurysmal lesions are briefly reviewed, and other known causes of the pulmonary arterial compression syndrome are discussed.