Pulmonary vein thrombosis after lower lobectomy of the left lung

Pulmonary vein thrombosis is a known complication after lung transplantation but has rarely been reported after lobectomy or bilobectomy. We report the case of a left upper pulmonary vein thrombosis following an uneventful left lower lobectomy for bronchial carcinoma. Postoperative arterial blood gas values and chest radiographs were normal. On postoperative day 5, the patient became progressively dyspneic, developed hemoptysis and showed total opacification of the left lung without mediastinal shift on chest radiography. The patient remained dyspneic despite intravenous antibiotic therapy for suspected pneumonia and absence of obstruction at bronchoscopy. Diagnosis of left upper pulmonary vein thrombosis was finally made by contrast-enhanced multislice computed tomography followed by pulmonary angiography. Further clinical deterioration under conservative treatment forced us to remove the remnant left upper lobe that already showed gangrenous alterations. Pulmonary vein thrombosis following lobectomy or bilobectomy is very rare. Only 7 cases have been reported in the literature so far. Conservative treatment with antibiotics and anticoagulants may be successful but in case of clinical deterioration the affected lobe has to be resected. The mechanism of thrombosis remains unclear although intraoperative torsion and injury of vessels seem to be most likely since pulmonary vein thrombosis occurred in the operated hemithorax only.     

Venous phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography facilitates the detection of pulmonary venous tumor thrombus

A 64-year-old woman, with a history of hepatocellular carcinoma, developed recurrent metastatic lung nodules after lung metastasectomy 10 years ago. Computed tomography (CT) revealed tumors in the right middle, and left lower lobes. We planned a right middle lobectomy. Before operating, a contrast-enhanced CT in the pulmonary venous phase revealed a tumor in the pulmonary vein resembling a thrombus, indicating that the CT failed to facilitate accurate diagnosis. Following venous clamping and incision, the intravenous polypoid mass was surgically removed. As contrast-enhanced CT focuses on pulmonary arterial phases and might not detect venous lesions, we highlight the usefulness of venous phase contrast-enhanced CT for detecting pulmonary venous tumor thrombosis. Large lung metastatic carcinomas with venous extension may embolize to distant organs. Therefore, venous phase contrast-enhancement is essential for preoperative assessments of large or persisting metastatic lung tumors.     

Pulmonary embolism from left subclavian vein thrombus following suprapubic prostatectomy.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the axillary and subclavian veins accounts for approximately 1-2 percent of all recorded deep venous thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism from an upper extremity DVT has been reported to vary between 2 percent and 35.7 percent. We report the occurrence of a left subclavian vein DVT with subsequent nonfatal pulmonary embolism in a sixty-two-year-old patient twenty-four hours following suprapubic prostatectomy. A review of the literature is presented, along with pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.     

Redirection of hepatic venous drainage after total cavopulmonary shunt in left isomerism

BACKGROUND: Conversion from total cavopulmonary shunt (TCPS) to the Fontan circulation can improve cyanosis in patients with potential risks of development of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVF). METHODS: Inclusion of the hepatic veins in the pulmonary circulation was employed using an intra-atrial tube graft in 5 patients with left isomerism previously undergoing TCPS. Prior to the conversion, abnormal communication was identified between the azygos vein and either the hepatic or the portal vein in all. PAVF was seen in 3. RESULTS: All patients survived the procedure. Postoperative catheterization showed 13 +/- 2 mm Hg of superior caval venous pressure, and 2.3 +/- 0.4 L/min/m2 of cardiac index. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula progressed markedly in the right lung even after the conversion in 2 patients, in whom the hepatic veins had been exclusively diverted to the left lung. Arterial oxygen saturation became below 65%, with exercise capacity reduced, in these 2 patients. The other patients remain asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Total cavopulmonary shunt can be efficiently converted to the Fontan circulation by appropriately redirecting hepatic venous drainage to perfuse both lungs in a balanced fashion.     

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection with dysmorphic pulmonary vein: a risk for postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction

Pulmonary venous obstruction after repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection remains potential and understanding of its mechanisms is warranted. Morphology of the pulmonary vein was qualitatively analyzed in 48 consecutive patients undergoing repair of non-isomeric total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Pulmonary venous drainage was supracardiac in 26, cardiac in 7, infracardiac in 13, and mixed in 2. Nine had dysmorphic pulmonary venous confluence or tributary veins (Group A). Four had excessive (>or=5) tributary veins with a hypoplastic confluence (Type 1 abnormality). In the other four cases, the vertical vein was atretic (Type 2 abnormality). In a case with cardiac type, pulmonary veins had stenosis at orifices (Type 3 abnormality). The rest (n=39; Group B) had normal pulmonary vein. Eight patients (7 in Group A and 1 in Group B) developed postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction. Overall actuarial survival was 90.0% after 2.3 months up to 10 years. Actuarial freedom from pulmonary venous obstruction was 79.5% after 5.0 months up to 10 years. It was 22.2% at 1 year among Group A compared with 96.7% at 10 years among Group B (P<0.001). Morphological analysis of the pulmonary vein best predicted the incidence of postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction.     

Postoperative pulmonary embolism in neurosurgical practice: report of two cases

Pulmonary embolism following postoperative deep venous thrombosis is a very serious complication with a high mortality rate. Though this disorder has been thought to be rare in Japanese, its occurrence seems to be increasing recently because of changes in eating habits, increase of average age and the frequent practice of venous catheterization. Two cases of the pulmonary embolism following deep venous thrombosis after surgery are reported, and possible causes of the deep venous thrombosis are discussed. Case 1: A 48 year-old obese female was operated on for a posterior fossa dural arteriovenous malformation. On the 4th postoperative day, she developed a pain and swelling in the left leg and low back pain. On the 18th postoperative day, she fell into a state of shock following the sudden onset of a severe back pain and respiratory distress. After diagnosis of the pulmonary embolism, she was immediately treated with urokinase, warfarin and aspirin. Her obesity was considered to be one of the risk factors of the postoperative deep venous thrombosis. Case 2: A 62 year-old female with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm could not get out of bed because of postoperative mental disturbance. A central venous pressure catheter was inserted into the right femoral vein for two weeks postoperatively. One month after surgery, she complained of swelling and a dull pain in the right leg without cardiorespiratory symptoms. Lung perfusion scintigraphy showed asymptomatic pulmonary embolism. She was treated immediately. Both long bed rest and femoral venous catheterization were considered as risk factors possibly leading to deep venous thrombosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Unusual problems of venous thrombosis.

Although venous thrombosis (thrombophlebitis) is well known, there are uncommon manifestations which are seen infrequently, discussed rarely, and documented poorly. Experiences with 38 patients in seven categories are discussed in terms of our results and the pertinent reports of others. Pulmonary necrosis after embolic pulmonary infarction (six patients) may require tube thoracotomy and/or lung resection and contraindicate further heparin therapy. Iliac and/or femoral vein thrombosis occasionally fails to recanalize. Long-standing occlusion (18 patients) may be benefited by a cross-over saphenous vein graft. Left iliac venous occlusion secondary to pressure from the crossing right iliac artery (four patients) may indicate repair or bypass. Budd-Chiari syndrome (thrombosis of the hepatic venous outflow) was, in a single patient, carried past a critical period by a long Dacron tube shunt graft from the umbilical vein to the azygos vein. Subclavian and axillary venous thrombosis due to thoracic outlet pressure syndrome (three patients) often responds to heparin but may require thrombectomy; later resection of the first rib is indicated. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (blue phlebitis) with tissue gangrene (three patients) requires immediate venous thrombectomy and subsequent heparinization. The occluded inferior vena cava (three patients) remains a challenging unsolved problem.     

经食管超声心动图在肺移植术中的作用

目的 探讨术中经食管超声心动图(TEE)在肺移植术中的应用价值.方法 2005年8月至2009年8月,19例平均年龄(48.35±13.04)岁的肺疾病晚期病人行肺移植手术.于肺移植术前麻醉后送入TEE探头,检测左、右肺静脉开口和肺动脉血流速度,右室壁运动,左、右心室容积,右室射血分数.观察房间隔有无交通.肺移植术中分别于断肺后和供肺支气管、肺静脉、肺动脉全部吻合开放后连续观察上述指标.结果 19例中6例为序贯式双肺移植,13例单肺移植,其中左叶肺移植2例、右叶肺移植11例.术中阻断一侧被移植肺的动、静脉后,该侧肺动、静脉血流消失,右室容积轻度增大.供体肺与受体肺全部气管、肺静脉、肺动脉吻合完毕开放后,右室容积恢复.TEE依次检测肺静脉、肺动脉吻合口,吻合口流速均轻度增快.开放后发现1例右肺动脉血流速度显著增快,经重新吻合后血流速度降低,血氧分压恢复.术中发现3例卵圆孔未闭.结论 TEE在肺移植术中监测肺动脉和肺静脉血管吻合口直径和血流速度,检测右心功能,对并发症的预测等起重要作用.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the clinical value of transesophageal echocardiography during the lung transplanta tion. Methods From August 2005 to August 2009, 19 patients with advanced lung diseases received lung transplantation.The average age was(48.35±13.04) years. The echocardiographic probe was placed in patient's esophagus before surgery.The left and right pulmonary venous openings, artery blood flow velocity, right ventricular wall motion, left and right ventricular volume, right ventricular ejection fraction were recorded at different time intervals during lung transplantation, especially at the break and after completion of bronchus, pulmonary veins, and pulmonary artery anastomosis. Results The procedure included sequential-type lung transplantation in 6 cases and single lung transplantation in 13. The blood flow disappeared when blocking pulmonary artery and vein and right ventricular volume increased slightly. The right ventricular volume restored after completion of trachea, pulmonary veins, pulmonary artery anastomosis. TEE detected that the blood flow velocity of pulmonary veins, pulmonay artery anastomosis increased slightly. In 1 case the opening of the right pulmonsry artery blood flow velocity increased significantly and blood flow velocity decresed and blood oxygen partial pressure resumed after re-anastomosis of pulmonary artery. Conclusion TEE play an important role in monitoring pulmonary artery and vein anastomosis diameter and blood flow velocity and right ventricular function and predicting complications during lung transplantation.     

Anomalous pulmonary vein detected using three-dimensional computed tomography in a patient with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy

Few clinicians are familiar with the anatomy of anomalous pulmonary veins, and studies reporting patients who required right lower lobectomy for lung cancer and who had anomalies of the middle and lower pulmonary veins are even rarer. This report describes the case of a lung cancer patient who had an anomalous lateral part of the middle lobe vein (V4) draining into the right inferior pulmonary vein, which was confirmed by three-dimensional 64-row multidetector computed axial tomography (3D-MDCT) angiography. She was then successfully treated with video-assisted thoracic surgery. The preoperative 3D imaging of the pulmonary vein and artery allowed us to comprehend fully the patient's vascular anatomy before the operation. Thus, we recommend preoperative 3D-MDCT angiography for patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracic surgery, especially video-assisted thoracic surgery.     

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the portal and splenic vein associated with unilateral hypoplasia of pulmonary veins

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) represents a rare congenital anomaly with wide anatomical and physiological variability. We report a case of a newborn with a challenging form of obstructed infracardiac TAPVR, in whom left and right pulmonary veins drained separately into the portal system. The right pulmonary venous sinus connected to the left branch of the portal vein, whereas the left venous sinus connected to the splenic vein. Surgical repair consisted of the creation of a common retrocardiac venous trunk which was anastomosed to the left atrium. The postoperative course was characterized by persisting congestion of the right lung. Two months later, right pulmonary vein hypoplasia was successfully enlarged with autologous pericardium.     

Unrecognized internal jugular vein obstruction: cause of fatal intracranial hypertension after tracheostomy?

We report an unusual case of fatal intracranial hypertension following tracheostomy due to the obstruction of the internal jugular veins (left side: thrombosis after central venous cannulation, right side: hypoplastic vein) and their collaterals. Principal cerebral outflow through the internal jugular veins can be substituted by the internal and external vertebral vein plexus because blood drains from the brain by two major routes: the internal jugular veins and the vertebral venous plexus. We suggest transcranial color-coded duplex sonography as a simple bedside method to detect patients with significant reduction of venous drainage who are at risk of developing massive cerebral venous congestion as a result of reduced intracranial elastance.     

CT Venography and CT Angiography of the Pulmonary Arteries in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic value of CT venography after CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries using multislice helical CT in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS: Between September 1999 and April 2001 252 patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism were examined. CT angiography of the pulmonary arteries was followed by CT venography of the inferior vena cava, the iliac veins and the proximal femoral veins; after April 2000 the popliteal veins and the proximal lower leg veins were additionally investigated. The examinations were performed with a double detector and a multidetector scanner (Elscint Twin and GE Lightspeed). RESULTS: Pulmonary embolism was found in 79/252 patients (40 central and 39 segmental/subsegmental PE). In 38/40 patients with central PE and in 22/39 patients with segmental/subsegmental PE in CT venography a deep venous thrombosis was detected, in 1/79 patient a doubled inferior vena cava could be found. In 5 patients with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava a transjugular cava filter placement was performed. In 13/173 patients without pulmonary embolism CT venography showed deep venous thrombosis. CONCLUSION: CT venography of the lower extremities is a practical and efficient additional examination to CT angiography in clinical suspected pulmonary embolism. It can detect the causing venous thrombosis with a high sensitivity.     

Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and acute surgery in thrombophlebitis of the long saphenous vein

Twenty-eight consecutive cases of acute superficial thrombophlebitis of the long saphenous vein above the knee were reviewed concerning presence of asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and early clinical results after surgical treatment. Contrast phlebography of the ipsilateral leg revealed asymptomatic involvement of major deep veins of the thigh or calf in 4 of 21 examined patients. Perfusion lung scanning and chest radiography demonstrated typical segmental perfusion defects consistent with pulmonary embolism in two of ten examined patients. High ligation and stripping of the phlebitic veins gave prompt cure in 19 patients, though in two who were simultaneously treated with anticoagulants there was troublesome bleeding. Simple high ligation was performed in nine patients without complications, but four of them had protracted phlebitic pain. The results indicated that preoperative phlebography and lung scanning are helpful in detecting associated asymptomatic disorders and for planning therapy in patients with clinically isolated, superficial thrombophlebitis of the long saphenous vein. The treatment of choice is acute high ligation with removal of all phlebitic veins. If anticoagulation is indicated because of concomitant deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, the initial procedure should preferably be limited to high ligation.     

Lung cancer with an extrapericardial single trunk as the left pulmonary vein; report of a case

A left lower lobectomy was successfully performed in a lung cancer patient with anatomical variation in which the left superior and inferior pulmonary veins were connected to the left atrium after forming an extrapericardial single trunk. This variation is surgically important because ligation and division of the left inferior pulmonary vein may result in blockage of upper lobe vein drainage at the time of a left lower lobectomy. The ligation of the pulmonary vein leads to severe lung edema, which may cause infection, respiratory distress, or postoperative complications that could be life-threatening. Surgeons must always pay attention to this variation when performing a left lower lobectomy.     

A case of unusual branching and aberrant course of the segmental vein (V2) in the upper lobe of the right lung

Two right pulmonary veins emptying into the left atrium is the normal state. We describe a case observed at operation in which three pulmonary veins were present on the right side and emptied into the left atrium; a third vein arised from the dorsal part of the upper lobe and followed an abnormal extrapulmonary course. Right lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were carried out for a 73-year-old male with lung carcinoma. At operation, an aberrant branching vein arising from the upper lobe descended dorsally to the right main bronchus and emptied into the left atrium at the middle point between carina and inferior pulmonary vein. The intermediate bronchus lay between the anomalous vein and superior pulmonary vein. Conventional tomogram, CT scan and pulmonary angiogram showed that pulmonary arteries and bronchi were normal in their pattern of branching and distribution, and that the anomalous vein observed at operation was comprised of V2a and V2b according to the system of naming on Yamashita's. Infrequent variations of pulmonary veins are to be kept in mind to that operation may be performed in safety.     

Lung Salvage by Pulmonary Arterioplasty after Vascular Injury During Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgical Right Upper Lobectomy

Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgical (VATS) lobectomy is now considered feasible and safe. Nevertheless, thoracic surgeons need to be aware of dramatic complications that may occur during this procedure and how best to manage them. We report the case of a severe tear of the right pulmonary artery (PA) during elective VATS upper lobectomy, leading to emergency conversion to control the bleeding. Initial arterial repair was performed by end-to-end anastomosis. Early CT angiography showed thrombosis of the right PA due to anastomotic stenosis. We performed emergency pulmonary arterioplasty with a prosthetic patch to save the right lung. A CT scan days after surgical lung salvage confirmed the permeability of the PA and normal vascularization of the two remaining right lobes. We discuss herein this dramatic complication of VATS lobectomy, the viability of the lung after pulmonary arterial thrombosis, and advocate for early postoperative imaging after pulmonary arterioplasty.     

An anomalous segmental vein of the left upper lobe of the lung: preoperative identification by three-dimensional computed tomography pulmonary angiography

A number of variations in the pulmonary arteries and veins have been documented, and the information is very important for performing a safe lung resection. This report describes a case of an anomalous segmental vein of the left upper lobe of the lung. The patient was a 75-year old male who was suspected to have lung cancer in the left upper lobe. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a vessel behind the left lower bronchus. A three-dimensional computed tomography angiography demonstrated that it was an anomalous vein for the apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe of the lung, draining into the left inferior pulmonary vein. The aberrant vein was readily identified during surgery and was divided without injury, and a left upper lobectomy was successfully performed. Aberrant pulmonary veins for the superior segment of the right upper lobe of the lung are rarely observed, and the same kind of anomaly on the left side has not been reported.     

Fatal Massive Pulmonary Embolism Following a Minor Ankle Injury as a Rare Cause of Sudden Unexpected Death: A Case Report

Venous thromboembolism is a condition that includes both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Pulmonary thromboembolism is a condition that is familiar to forensic pathologists for its common cause of sudden unexpected death. Fatal pulmonary thromboembolism following deep vein thrombosis has been previously reported as a consequence of major ankle injury but not following minor ankle injury. Here, I report the case of sudden unexpected death in a 54-year-old female without known underlying risk factors for venous thromboembolism, except for a history of minor injury at her left ankle, which possibly caused local vascular wall damage with subsequent deep vein thrombosis and eventual massive pulmonary thromboembolism.     

An animal model for venous thrombosis and spontaneous pulmonary embolism

STUDY DESIGN:An animal model.OBJECTIVE:To test the natural sequence of venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism experimentally.SETTING:Veterans Administration Hospital, USA.METHOD:In dogs, a venous thrombosis was induced in a isolated segment of the internal jugular vein by a 5 min exposure to sodium morrhuate and then re-establishing venous patency. A tracer, (125)I human fibrinogen, was administered through another vein 1 h prior to the end of each experiment when a blood sample, the venous thrombus, and the lungs were removed. Thrombi were described by age, weight, histology, and fibrin uptake (thrombus to blood radioactivity ratio, g/g). Pulmonary emboli (PE) were identified by autoradiography of lung slices or by microscopic examination of lung sections.Results:Venous thrombosis developed in all experiments, duration 1-64, median 5 h (n=12). Histologically, younger thrombi were characterized by platelet aggregates surrounded by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), and uniform fibrin deposit; the older thrombi by platelet ghost cells, fewer PMN leukocytes, and broken fibrin strands and loops (n=6). Pulmonary thromboemboli were imaged as 'hot spots' in six of six experiments in which lung slices were autoradiographed and were identified microscopically in six of six experiments in which lung sections were taken. The number of PE diagnosed microscopically did not correlate with the age of the corresponding thrombus but was directly related to fibrin uptake (n=5, r=0.99, P<0.01).CONCLUSION:An animal model for venous thrombosis that generates pulmonary thromboembolism has been described.     

Spontaneous thrombosis of a venous malformation leading to intracerebral hemorrhage--case report

A 33-year-old man presented with consciousness disturbance (Glasgow Coma Scale score 7) and right hemiplegia after suffering headache persisting for 10 days. Head computed tomography revealed an irregular intracerebral hematoma in the left temporoparietal region, associated with a tubular high density area compatible with a thrombosed transcerebral vein in the left temporal lobe. The patient was free of coagulopathy. Craniectomy was performed to remove the intracerebral hematoma and venous thrombosis was confirmed. Postoperative cerebral angiography demonstrated extensive venous malformation in the left parietal and occipital lobes. Multiple transcerebral draining veins converged in the vein of Galen associated with a varix. Segmental narrowing of the straight sinus was suggestive of congestion in the venous anomaly. The patient showed progressive recovery following surgery, and was discharged with moderate aphasia, mild right hemiparesis, and right homonymous hemianopsia 1 month later. Venous malformations are usually silent, but occasionally become symptomatic due to thrombosis of the draining vein. The presence of stenosis in the draining route may lead to venous congestion, thrombus formation, and catastrophic hemorrhagic venous infarct.