• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.297-300
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• 2012

Symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with isolated atrial septal defect (ASD) is rare during infancy. We report a case of isolated ASD with severe PAH in an infant who developed airway obstruction as cardiomegaly progressed. The patient presented with recurrent severe respiratory insufficiency and failure to thrive before the repair of the ASD. Echocardiography confirmed volume overload on the right side of heart and severe PAH (tricuspid regurgitation [TR] with a peak pressure gradient of 55 to 60 mmHg). The chest radiographs demonstrated severe collapse of both lung fields, and a computed tomography scan showed narrowing of the main bronchus because of an intrinsic cause, as well as a dilated pulmonary artery compressing the main bronchus on the left and the intermediate bronchus on the right. ASD patch closure was performed when the infant was 8 months old. After the repair of the ASD, echocardiography showed improvement of PAH (TR with a peak pressure gradient of 22 to 26 mmHg), and the patient has not developed recurrent respiratory infections while showing successful catch-up growth. In infants with symptomatic isolated ASD, especially in those with respiratory insufficiency associated with severe PAH, extrinsic airway compression should be considered. Correcting any congenital heart diseases in these patients may improve their symptoms.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.89-92
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• 2008

A subcapsular liver hematoma (SLH) is a relatively common lesion in fetuses and neonates. Although an SLH ruptures rarely, it may be life threatening. We report on a term neonate with a delayed rupture of an SLH that occurred on day 7 of life. The infant had been resuscitated with intubation, positive pressure ventilation, and chest compression at birth because of meconium-associated perinatal depression. The SLH was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and paracentesis, and the ruptured SLH was treated operatively. After intensive medical and surgical management, the infant was discharged healthy on day 27 of life. A newborn infant presenting with the sudden onset of extreme shock and pallor associated with abdominal distension should undergo differential diagnosis for SLH and a clinical evaluation concurrent with fluid resuscitation and timely surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.12 s.257
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• pp.852-855
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• 2005

A 85-day-old infant was successfully operated on for truncus arteriosus (type I) with interrupted aortic arch (type A) using one-stage anterior approach without circulatory arrest. Aortic arch was reconstructed by direct anastomosis of ascending aorta and descending aorta with regional perfusion and continuity of right ventricle to pulmonary artery was established with $Shelhigh^{circledR}$ pulmonic conduit. The patient experienced left bronchus compression by descending aorta immediately postoperatively, which was improved with positional change and physiotherapy. The patient had reoperation due to stenosis of valved conduit at 13 months later. The patient is currently well under follow-up of 14 months from initial repair.