Interim prostacyclin therapy for an isolated disconnected pulmonary artery: A case report

Abstract

Introduction. Disconnected pulmonary arteries are unusual and may result in pulmonary hypertension with acute right heart failure. Case presentation. We report a case of a three-month-old Asian girl who presented with heart failure and severe pulmonary hypertension due to a disconnected right pulmonary artery. An epoprostenol (prostacyclin) infusion was instrumental in lowering pulmonary artery pressures and stabilizing the child prior to surgery. Conclusions. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of successful prostacyclin usage in such a situation. © 2010 Grech et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.