Pedunculated Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma Suggested by Transthoracic Echocardiography

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is an extremely rare malignancy. It is usually found after it grows large enough to occupy almost the entire lumen of the pulmonary artery and causes serious clinical symptoms. Thus, it is usually difficult to distinguish PAS from pulmonary thromboembolism based on imaging examinations. Few case reports had shown the attachment of PAS to pulmonary artery, a key characteristic for diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of PAS. In this case, we found a PAS, which did not cause local obstruction and some tumor emboli, which obstructed the branches of the pulmonary arteries and caused pulmonary hypertension and clinical symptoms. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed a part of the tumor attached to the intima of the main pulmonary artery with a peduncle and had obvious mobility, which was suggestive of PAS and differentiated it from the pulmonary thromboembolism. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a pedunculated PAS suggested by TTE. Combined with pulmonary artery computed tomography angiography, the diagnosis of PAS is strongly suggested before the operation. This case indicates that TTE could reveal the attachment and mobility of PAS in the main pulmonary and may provide useful information for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PAS, especially a pedunculated PAS.     

Echocardiographic and Doppler Findings in Primary Sarcoma of the Pulmonary Artery

Primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery is a rare heart tumor. In the reported case, the clinical findings were nonspecific, and were characterized by progressive dyspnea, fever, and a systolic murmur in the pulmonary area. Echocardiographic examination showed an echogenic mass partially obstructing the pulmonary artery trunk, dilation of the right cardiac chambers, and a pressure overload pattern. Doppler and color Doppler demonstrated a high-velocity systolic flow jet in the pulmonary artery due to obstruction of the vessel by the tumor, as well as severe high-velocity tricuspid regurgitation. The patient died suddenly soon thereafter. The autopsy confirmed almost total occlusion of the pulmonary artery by a neoplastic mass. Histopathological diagnosis was primary vascular leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery. In addition, a large tumor embolus had occluded the right pulmonary artery. Doppler echocardiography proved useful in noninvasively recognizing the sarcoma of the pulmonary artery, and explaining the clinical picture and hemodynamic derangements produced by this tumor. This could, in other patients, allow an early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention.     

Transthoracic Echocardiography for Diagnosis of Right Pulmonary Artery to Left Atrial Fistula

Right pulmonary artery to left atrial fistula (RPA‐LAF) is a rare cardiovascular anomaly. There were no systematic and detail represent by echocardiography. We chose the patients who diagnosed with RPA‐LAF at Fuwai Hospital from 2000 to 2010. All patients underwent clinical exanimation, chest roentgenogram, laboratory testing, electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), contrast echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization. In this article, we summarize the characteristics of the TTE for diagnosing the rare cardiovascular anomaly of RPA‐LAF. We undertook a detailed review of their TTE and contrast echocardiography findings to determine the characteristic findings of this condition.     

Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Assessment of Acquired Ascending Aortic Aneurysm to Pulmonary Artery Fistula

Aorta to pulmonary artery fistula is an uncommon and potentially fatal condition. This case is of a 48‐year‐old Caucasian male with congestive heart failure and multiple aortic valve replacement surgeries who presented with an acquired ascending aortic aneurysm to pulmonary artery fistula diagnosed using two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography via nonstandard imaging windows. Three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography using live/real time three‐dimensional color Doppler was used to assess the size of the opening of the fistula, providing additional value. This patient was surgically managed and is doing well 8 months postoperation.     

Idiopathic Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm

Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) is an uncommon lesion, which may be associated with different etiologies including congenital cardiovascular diseases, systemic vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, infections, and trauma. Idiopathic PAA is sporadically diagnosed by exclusion of concomitant major pathology. We report a case of a 56-year-old female with an idiopathic pulmonary artery dilatation identified fortuitously by echocardiography and confirmed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Neither significant pulmonary valve dysfunction nor pulmonary hypertension and other cardiac abnormalities which might contribute to the PAA development were found. Here, we describe echocardiographic and computed tomography findings and review the literature on PAA management.     

Unique Echocardiographic Markers of Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA) in the Adult

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart defect in adults. We report a 38‐year‐old male presenting with exertional syncope. He was referred for the evaluation of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects diagnosed on an outpatient echocardiogram. Echocardiography revealed mild left ventricular enlargement, abnormal flow‐pattern in the ventricular septum and dilatation of the right coronary artery. Pulsed‐wave Doppler with sample volume placed in the coronary ostium showed systolic coronary flow predominancy. This unique finding is characteristic for ALCAPA and can differentiate it from other coronary anomalies. Coronary angiography confirmed ALCAPA syndrome. Surgical correction was planned.     

Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Assessment of Aortic Arch Vasum Vasi to Pulmonary Artery Fistula

We report an elderly patient presenting with a stroke and also hemolytic anemia secondary to mitral and tricuspid valve repair 3 years earlier, in whom two‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE) suspected a fistula into the pulmonary artery (APAF) from the posterior wall of the aortic arch. For further assessment, two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) and live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) were performed. 2DTTE showed findings similar to 2DTEE. Color Doppler guided continuous‐wave Doppler showed continuous flow throughout the cardiac cycle with systolic preponderance across the fistula with a small peak pressure gradient of 22 mmHg. Sequential systematic cropping of the 3D datasets obtained from 3DTTE confirmed that the flow signals originated from the posterior wall of the aortic arch and not the lumen. Thus, 3DTTE served to increase the confidence level that the fistula most likely originated from a vasum vasi in the wall of the aortic arch. To our knowledge, this type of fistula has not been reported previously. Fistulas from the aortic lumen to the pulmonary artery are also rare and so far only 24 cases have been reported in the literature. These are also reviewed by us.     

Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma Mimicking Pulmonary Embolism

Primary sarcomas that arise from major blood vessels are exceedingly rare, and some of the published cases have been autopsy reports. Most patients are adults. We report a case of pulmonary artery sarcoma in a 77-year-old man who presented with acute onset of dyspnea. Magnetic resonance imaging of the chest revealed a large mass within the pulmonary trunk and its main branches. Because massive pulmonary embolism was suspected, both anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapies were initiated. The patient responded poorly to these therapies, which then necessitated resection of both the mass and the pulmonary valve. A bioprosthetic porcine valve replaced the native valve, and we reconstructed the right ventricular outflow tract with a Dacron patch. Histopathologic examination revealed a high-grade sarcoma with focal myogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 7. He was subsequently treated with chemotherapy and radiation and continued to show no evidence of disease.The diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma should be suspected in patients who present with manifestations of pulmonary embolism, especially when there is no evidence of deep venous thrombosis and poor response to anticoagulant therapy. Multimodal therapy can provide prolonged survival.     

Transthoracic Echocardiographic Documentation of Disappearance of Massive Pulmonary Artery Thromboemboli after Fibrinolytic Therapy

In this paper, we report two cases of acute massive pulmonary thromboemboli with pulmonary artery thrombus, in which disappearance of thrombus followed fibrinolytic therapy were documented at transthoracic echocardiographic follow-up. Data from these limited experiences suggest that, transthoracic echocardiography might be useful as a first diagnostic screening in cases of suspect pulmonary thromboembolism and thrombolytic therapy might be considered in patients with pulmonary artery thrombus with pulmonary embolism.     

Echocardiographic features of primary cardiac sarcoma

Primary cardiac sarcoma is extremely rare and seldom causes symptoms until late in its course. Discomfort may occur only when the mass causes obstruction to the intracardiac flow. Early diagnosis is vital because it allows prompt and relevant management. We describe the history and echocardiographic features in four patients with primary cardiac sarcoma and review the current literature.     

经胸超声心动图评价肺血栓栓塞症溶栓疗效的价值

目的探讨经胸超声心动图评价肺动脉血栓栓塞症（PTE）溶栓抗凝疗效的价值。方法对临床确诊为大面积或次大面积PTE的病人35例,应用经胸超声心动图观察溶栓抗凝治疗前及治疗后24h、2周、3个月、6个月右心系统血栓大小、右房室内径、肺动脉和三尖瓣反流频谱、下腔静脉内径的变化。结果溶栓抗凝治疗前发现右心系统血栓29例,右房、右室扩大,右室壁运动幅度降低,右室射血分数降低,肺动脉内径增宽,下腔静脉呼吸变化率减低,肺动脉频谱形态为肺动脉高压型改变,呈双峰或直角三角形,右室射血前期与右室射血时间比值（RPEP/RVET）增大,且均有不同程度的三尖瓣反流。溶栓后各时间段复查,18例血栓逐渐减小消失,9例仅余附壁小血栓,2例血栓大小未见明显变化,回声增高。溶栓后24h,右房室缩小,右室壁运动增强,肺动脉内径缩小,肺动脉压力降低,溶栓后2周继续好转,溶栓后3个月肺动脉压力属正常范围,溶栓后6个月与溶栓后3个月测值比较未见明显差异,但肺动脉血流频谱形态恢复正常。结论经胸超声心动图可作为判断PTE疗效、长期随诊的首选方法。     

Two-Dimensional Echocardiographic Findings of Pulmonary Valve Cyst Secondary to Pulmonary Valvuloplasty

Real time two-dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a mobile echolucent mass attached to the pulmonary valve in a 25-year-old adult, 20 years following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. The mass was surgically excised and pathology showed it to be a cyst.     

Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiographic Detection and Differential Diagnosis of Isolated Right Pulmonary Artery Agenesis

We present a case report of isolated right pulmonary artery agenesis detected by multiplane trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE). A special emphasis is placed on its important role in the differential diagnosis and hemodynamic and functional evaluation of patients with unilateral pulmonary oligemia on chest radiograph. We also present a case report of pulmonary embolism with complete obstruction of the right pulmonary artery for better understanding and for comparison of TEE images in patients with pulmonary artery agenesis.     

Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Assessment of Inferior Vena Cava and Hepatic Vein Thrombosis in Sickle Cell Disease

We describe the value of live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) over two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) in the assessment of inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic vein (HV) obstruction in a patient with sickle cell disease. 3DTTE provided additional information when compared to 2DTTE by (1) identifying the obstructing lesion as a likely thrombus, (2) by providing assessment of anatomical severity of IVC lumen obstruction since the thrombus could be visualized en face also, and (3) identifying an area of increased mobility of a portion of the thrombus suggesting greater risk of embolization. (Echocardiography 2010;27:594‐596)     

Live/Real Time Three-Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Assessment of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Morphology

We describe the usefulness of three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3D TTE) in the assessment of bicuspid aortic valve morphology in an adult patient with no stenosis but severe aortic regurgitation .     

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma: Two Case Reports

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is considered a very rare tumor with a poor prognosis. We herein report two cases of PAS that were diagnosed by positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). In both cases, PET was an effective option for diagnosing tumors, and surgical resection was a valid treatment for these diseases. If a pulmonary artery tumor is suspected, PET/CT is useful for diagnosing PAS and very helpful for choosing the surgical treatment strategy.