Recurrent chest pain and dyspnoea in a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating, life-threatening disease with poor prognosis when left untreated. The long-term prognosis is definitely influenced by the natural progression of PAH but late disease-specific complications may also contribute. Case summary: We present a patient with a long-standing idiopathic PAH in whom progressive dilatation of pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries leads to compression of the left main coronary artery and the left atrium with hemodynamic compromise. Conclusion: With the current treatment options, survival in PAH has improved. Guidelines focus on more aggressive treatment with initial combination therapy and earlier referral for transplantation.

Keywords: Aneurysmectomy; Left main coronary artery compression; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Transplantation; pulmonary artery aneurysm.