Surgical Therapy for Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm

Background

Pulmonary artery aneurysm is a rare disease, with only limited reports available in the literature and no current guidelines for management. In this study, we report the course of patients with pulmonary artery aneurysms that were repaired surgically. We also discuss the surgical indication for and management of pulmonary artery aneurysm.

Methods

This report describes a retrospective study in our institution (University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT). We included patients who underwent pulmonary artery aneurysm repair from 2010 to 2024. We collected preoperative and surgical information on these patients retrospectively by reviewing their charts.

Results

A total of 11 patients underwent pulmonary artery aneurysm repair during this period. The aneurysm extended to branches in 7 patients. Pulmonary valve involvement was seen in 9 patients. Pulmonary hypertension was noted in 5 of 8 patients. Seven patients underwent graft replacement, 3 patients underwent aneurysmorrhaphy, and 1 patient underwent double-lung transplantation. Only 1 of the 11 patients died.

Conclusions

Given that there is no guideline for the management of pulmonary artery aneurysm, a surgical indication needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis. If the risks of surgery are thought to outweigh the benefits, conservative management is also an option even if the pulmonary artery diameter is greater than 55 mm. Surgical repair of pulmonary artery aneurysm, including graft replacement and aneurysmorrhaphy, can be performed safely. Replacement with a Dacron graft is the most common and feasible approach.