Hypoplastic pulmonary artery: an unusual entity mimicking pulmonary embolism during pregnancy

Obstet Gynecol. 1992 Sep;80(3 Pt 2):483-5.

Abstract

Hypoplastic pulmonary artery is an unusual congenital malformation. We describe a case of hypoplastic pulmonary artery diagnosed during the third trimester of pregnancy. The clinical and radiologic features mimicked pulmonary embolism, including hemoptysis, chest pain, pleural effusion, mild hypoxemia, and a suggestive ventilation-perfusion scan. Accurate differentiation of this entity from pulmonary embolism is necessary to obviate the need for prolonged anticoagulation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hemoptysis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*