Endovascular treatment of pulmonary sequestration in adults using amplatzer® vascular plugs

Abstract

Two adult patients were diagnosed with extralobar and intralobar pulmonary sequestration. One patient presented with haemoptysis. Both patients suffered from recurrent episodes of severe pulmonary infections. Both patients were treated by means of endovascular embolization using Amplatzer® vascular plugs (AVPs). They were discharged from hospital after 48 and 24 h and then followed up for 24 and six months, respectively. No recurrence of symptoms was observed. Computed tomography scans were obtained every six months. Persistent occlusion of vascular supply and moderate regression of the sequestered lung tissue are evident after 24 and six months in both patients. Just one case of an adult patient affected by pulmonary sequestration and treated by endovascular embolization has been reported to date. The present report is the first on the use of the AVPs in adults for this condition. The potential advantages and drawbacks of this treatment modality in adults are discussed, as well the specific benefit represented by the AVPs. © 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.