A pulmonary artery was embolized in a patient with an occluded pulmonary vein to manage massive hemoptysis.

BACKGROUND: Stenosis and obliteration of the pulmonary vein can be developed by multiple diseases and might cause hemoptysis. Traditional therapy including surgical procedure and conservative treatments might be inappropriate choices to manage massive hemoptysis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old man, diagnosed with advanced stage IVA lung squamous cell carcinoma, presented with dyspnea and recurrent, massive hemoptysis. An initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a giant tumor in the left lung hilus and occlusion of the left superior pulmonary vein. Despite immediate selective bronchial artery embolization and simultaneous embolization of an anomalous branch of the internal thoracic artery, the massive hemoptysis continued. Subsequently, embolization of the left superior pulmonary artery was performed, achieving functional pulmonary lobectomy, which successfully treated the hemoptysis without relapse during a six-month follow-up. The patient continues to undergo cancer therapy and remains stable. CONCLUSIONS: This case successfully managed massive hemoptysis associated with lung cancer invasion into the pulmonary vein through functional pulmonary lobectomy via embolization of the corresponding pulmonary artery.

Personalized pulmonary vein isolation with very high-power short-duration lesions guided by left atrial wall thickness: the QDOT-by-LAWT randomized trial.

AIMS: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) using very high-power short-duration (vHPSD) radiofrequency (RF) ablation proved to be safe and effective. However, vHPSD applications result in shallower lesions that might not be always transmural. Multidetector computed tomography-derived left atrial wall thickness (LAWT) maps could enable a thickness-guided switching from vHPSD to the standard-power ablation mode. The aim of this randomized trial was to compare the safety, the efficacy, and the efficiency of a LAWT-guided vHPSD PVI approach with those of the CLOSE protocol for PAF ablation (NCT04298177). METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients referred for first-time PAF ablation were randomized on a 1:1 basis. In the QDOT-by-LAWT arm, for LAWT ≤2.5 mm, vHPSD ablation was performed; for points with LAWT > 2.5 mm, standard-power RF ablation titrating ablation index (AI) according to the local LAWT was performed. In the CLOSE arm, LAWT information was not available to the operator; ablation was performed according to the CLOSE study settings: AI ≥400 at the posterior wall and ≥550 at the anterior wall. A total of 162 patients were included. In the QDOT-by-LAWT group, a significant reduction in procedure time (40 vs. 70 min; P < 0.001) and RF time (6.6 vs. 25.7 min; P < 0.001) was observed. No difference was observed between the groups regarding complication rate (P = 0.99) and first-pass isolation (P = 0.99). At 12-month follow-up, no significant differences occurred in atrial arrhythmia-free survival between groups (P = 0.88). CONCLUSION: LAWT-guided PVI combining vHPSD and standard-power ablation is not inferior to the CLOSE protocol in terms of 1-year atrial arrhythmia-free survival and demonstrated a reduction in procedural and RF times.

The role of the pulmonary veins on left atrial flow patterns and thrombus formation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common human arrhythmia, forming thrombi mostly in the left atrial appendage (LAA). However, the relation between LAA morphology, blood patterns and clot formation is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, the impact of anatomical structures like the pulmonary veins (PVs) have not been thoroughly studied due to data acquisition difficulties. In-silico studies with flow simulations provide a detailed analysis of blood flow patterns under different boundary conditions, but a limited number of cases have been reported in the literature. To address these gaps, we investigated the influence of PVs on LA blood flow patterns and thrombus formation risk through computational fluid dynamics simulations conducted on a sizeable cohort of 130 patients, establishing the largest cohort of patient-specific LA fluid simulations reported to date. The investigation encompassed an in-depth analysis of several parameters, including pulmonary vein orientation (e.g., angles) and configuration (e.g., number), LAA and LA volumes as well as their ratio, flow, and mass-less particles. Our findings highlight the total number of particles within the LAA as a key parameter for distinguishing between the thrombus and non-thrombus groups. Moreover, the angles between the different PVs play an important role to determine the flow going inside the LAA and consequently the risk of thrombus formation. The alignment between the LAA and the main direction of the left superior pulmonary vein, or the position of the right pulmonary vein when it exhibits greater inclination, had an impact to distinguish the control group vs. the thrombus group. These insights shed light on the intricate relationship between PV configuration, LAA morphology, and thrombus formation, underscoring the importance of comprehensive blood flow pattern analyses.

Trombo en tránsito izquierdo intraoperatorio en trasplante bipulmonar diagnosticado por ecocardiografía transesofágica: ¿qué es lo siguiente? / Left side clot in transit in double-lung transplantation diagnosticated by transesophageal echocardiography: What's next?

Un varón de 61 años sin predisposición trombótica es sometido a trasplante bipulmonar como último tratamiento para su EPOC terminal sin soporte de ECMO. Tras el implante y la reperfusión de ambos pulmones, se realizó un examen ecocardiográfico transesofágico completo para comprobar principalmente las anastomosis de las venas pulmonares. En este estudio se identificó una gran masa móvil, hiperecogénica, densa y heterogénea en la aurícula izquierda, compatible con un trombo en tránsito desde la circulación venosa pulmonar. Este hallazgo fue comunicado al equipo quirúrgico inmediatamente para reabrir la anastomosis y retirar el coágulo antes de mayores consecuencias. No hubo manifestaciones clínicas cuando se despertó al paciente.(AU)

61-year-old man without any thrombotic predisposition was undergone double sequential lung transplantation due to terminal stage of COPD without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. After implantation and reperfusion of both lungs, a complete transoesophageal echocardiography exam was performed to check especially the pulmonary venous anastomosis. In this exam, a large heterogenous, dense, hyperechoic mobile mass was identified in the LA, which was compatible with a thrombus in transit from pulmonary veins circulation. This finding was communicated to the surgical team to reopen the anastomosis and remove the clot before further consequences. There were no clinical manifestations when the patient was awakened.(AU)

[Resected Right Upper Lobe Lung Cancer with Displaced Bronchus and Anomalous Pulmonary Vein].

The patient is a 77-year-old man. He was referred to our hospital after a chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 6.5 cm-sized mass in the right lung apex. Bronchoscopy revealed adenocarcinoma, clinical stageⅡB, and the patient was referred for surgery. Preoperative 3D-CT revealed the presence of a displaced bronchus, probably B1a, branching from the right main bronchus centrally from the upper lobe bronchus, and an abnormal vessel (V2) running dorsal to the upper lobe bronchus and the right main bronchus, and returning directly to the left atrium. Surgery was performed by resectioning the right upper lobe through a posterolateral incision, combined resection of the wall pleura, and lymph node dissection (ND2a-2). Because lung cancer surgery is sometimes accompanied by abnormal bronchial and pulmonary vascular branches, it is essential to thoroughly examine the patient before surgery for checking abnormal branches by bronchoscopy and 3D-CT.

[Multiorgan Thromboembolism due to Thrombus in the Remnant Superior Pulmonary Vein After Left Upper Division Segmentectomy:Report of a Case].

A 67 years old male had underwent left upper division segmentectomy. On the sixth day after surgery, he had developed unconsciousness, aphasia and unilateral spatial neglect. Brain MRI revealed a cerebral infarction, and percutaneous cerebral thrombectomy was performed. Enhanced computed tomography revealed thrombus formation in the remnant superior pulmonary vein (SPV), left renal infarction and right acute limb ischemia. After starting anticoagulant therapy with apixaban the thrombus reduced and neurological symptoms improved. A thrombus in the SPV may cause serious whole body organ infarction in the same way as a left atrial thrombus. It was suggested that left upper division segmentectomy was associated with the risk of remnant pulmonary vein thrombosis.

A zero-exchange approach for left atrial access in pulmonary vein isolation with pulsed field ablation.

INTRODUCTION: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as an innovative technique for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Typically, a transeptal puncture (TSP) with a standard sheath precedes a switch to the larger diameter sheath in the left atrium. This study aimed to describe the safety and feasibility of direct TSP using the large diameter Faradrive sheath before performing PVI with PFA. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 166 consecutive patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing PVI with PFA at our institution. TSP was performed in all cases with transesophageal echocardiography guidance, using the Faradrive sheath and a 98 cm matched Brockenbrough needle. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of pericardial tamponade during or within the first 48 h after the procedure. The secondary endpoint was the occurrence of any major complication. RESULTS: All 166 patients were included into the final analysis (44% female): 64% of patients had paroxysmal AF and 36% persistent AF (68 ± 11 years old, median CHA2DS2Vasc Score 3, median left atrial volume index 31). The median duration of the procedure was 60 min, median time to TSP was 15 min, and the median fluoroscopy dose was 595 cGy × cm2. The primary endpoint occurred in one patient: a non-TSP related pericardial tamponade, which was managed with pericardial puncture. CONCLUSION: Direct TSP with skipping sheath exchange using the large diameter Faradrive sheath for PVI with PFA was safe, feasible, and reduced costs in all patients. Large scale studies and registries are needed to verify this workflow.

A rare variant of scimitar syndrome characterised by right pulmonary vein drainage to portal vein with eventeration of diaphragm.

While infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to portal vein is well described, hemianomalous drainage of right pulmonary veins to portal vein in Scimitar syndrome has not yet been reported.

Rare case of total anomalous pulmonary venous return into the right atrium in situs solitus.

We report an uncommon case report of total anomalous pulmonary venous returns into the right atrium at the base of the superior caval vein's ostium without a sinus venosus defect, in situs solitus, without vertical vein or a posterior pulmonary venous confluence.

Twins with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins: Strategies for diagnosis and management.

We present a case of dichorionic-diamniotic twin females who developed hypoxemic respiratory failure. They were ultimately diagnosed by lung biopsy with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins. This case highlights a practical approach to reaching a diagnosis in infants with suspected developmental lung disease.

Robotic-assisted right upper lobectomy with systemic pulmonary vein anomaly: a case report.

BACKGROUND: While the role of low-dose computed tomography (CT) in lung cancer screening is established, its limitations in detailing pulmonary vascular variations are less emphasized. Three-dimensional reconstruction technology allows surgeons to reconstruct a patient's bronchial and pulmonary vascular structures using CT scan results. However, low-dose CT may not provide the same level of clarity as enhanced CT in displaying pulmonary vascular details. This limitation can be unfavorable for preoperative detection of potential pulmonary vascular variations, especially in cases involving planned segmentectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 58-year-old female with lung cancer, initially planned for Da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy. Unexpectedly, during surgery, a pulmonary vein variation in the right upper lobe was discovered, leading to a change in the surgical method to a lobectomy. The patient had four variant right upper lobe veins draining into the superior vena cava and one into the left atrium. The surgery was complicated by significant bleeding and postoperative pulmonary congestion. Postoperative pathology confirmed adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of meticulous intraoperative exploration, particularly in cases involving planned segmentectomy, as unexpected pulmonary vein variations can significantly affect surgical decision-making. While three-dimensional reconstruction based on preoperative CT data is a valuable tool, it may not capture the full complexity of the anatomical variations. We discuss potential preoperative imaging techniques, including contrast-enhanced CT and CT angiography, as methods to better identify these variations. The enhanced visualization provided by robot-assisted surgery plays a crucial role in identifying and adapting to these variations, underscoring the advantages of this surgical approach. Our report contributes to the existing literature by providing a detailed account of how these principles were applied in a real-world scenario, reinforcing the need for surgical adaptability and awareness of the limitations of low-dose CT in complex cases.

Use of Polyurethane-Covered Stents for Exclusion of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, technical success and short-term effectiveness of polyurethane-covered stent (PK Papyrus, BioTronik, Berlin) in the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) that are not amenable to embolotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this IRB-approved, retrospective study, data from patients who received polyurethane-covered stents for exclusion of PAVMs were analyzed. The study included 5 patients (all women) with a median age of 40 years (range 25-60). Patients presented with hypoxemia, TIAs, and/or epistaxis; 4 were confirmed to have HHT. All had multiple PAVMs diagnosed on chest CT and underwent embolization with other devices in addition to the polyurethane-covered stent. The indication for stent placement in all cases was a short and/or tortuous feeding artery. Safety was assessed by immediate or short-term complications, e.g., migration, stent thrombosis, and fracture. Technical success was defined as the ability to accurately place the stent at the intended location. Effectiveness was defined as successful exclusion of PAVM with no perfusion across the AVM. RESULTS: Technical success of stent placement was 100%. AVM exclusion rate was 80% after single stent deployment; in the case of incomplete exclusion, success was achieved using an overlapping stent to completely cover a second feeding artery. During the median follow-up period of 5 months (range 2-10), all stents remained patent, and AVMs were excluded without other complications. CONCLUSION: Exclusion of PAVMs with polyurethane-covered stents is technically feasible, safe, and shows short-term effectiveness for PAVMs with a short/tortuous feeding artery when traditional embolization techniques are not possible.

A Rare Case of a Common Inferior Pulmonary Vein Presumed to Be a Remnant of the Common Pulmonary Vein.

A 74-year-old woman with an implanted physiological DDD pacemaker visited our department complaining of palpitations due to atrial fibrillation (AF). Catheter ablation therapy for AF was scheduled. Preoperative multidetector computed tomography showed that the inferior pulmonary vein (PV) was a common trunk, and the left and right superior PVs branched from the center of the left atrial roof. In addition, mapping of the left atrium before AF ablation revealed no potential in either the inferior PV or common trunk. We performed left and right superior PV and posterior wall isolation. After ablation, AF was not observed on pacemaker recordings.

Pulmonary abscess combined with pulmonary vein thrombosis and stroke: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Although most stroke patients have underlying vascular risk factors, it is important to consider infectious causes of stroke in young adults without traditional risk factors or patients with cryptogenic stroke. Pulmonary vein thrombosis and air embolism can potentially cause cerebral infarction. However, the association between infection and pulmonary vein thrombosis or air embolism is often overlooked. In this case, we present a rare infectious cause of stroke and air embolism involving a pulmonary abscess and pulmonary vein thrombosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old male patient initially presented with right-sided pneumonia. During treatment at a local hospital, he developed headaches and left limb weakness. Subsequently, he was transferred to our hospital due to septic shock. Neurological evaluations revealed multiple brain foci and thrombosis in the right superior pulmonary vein. Following treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and anticoagulants, the patient's clinical symptoms and inflammatory markers showed improvement. However, a computed tomography scan revealed the formation of a pulmonary abscess, and the patient experienced coma and epilepsy after severe coughing with massive hemoptysis. Multiple air embolisms were observed in the brain computed tomography. Eventually, the patient's family chose to discharge him from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the rare and complex etiologies of stroke associated with infection in a young patient. Early detection, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of infected systemic embolism in young patients are crucial to prevent serious complications.