Autopsy and Case Reports
https://www.autopsyandcasereports.org/article/doi/10.4322/acr.2021.265
Autopsy and Case Reports
Autopsy Case Report and Review

Fatal outcome of congenital aortopulmonary window with patent ductus arteriosus complicating pregnancy

Balamurugan Thirunavukkarasu; Lijanthung S. Kithan; Nikhil Kumar; Arihant Jain; Amanjit Bal

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Abstract

Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a rare congenital heart defect with abnormal communication between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk with two separate semilunar valves. We present an autopsy case report wherein a young primigravida woman presented with progressive breathlessness and central cyanosis at 21 weeks of gestation. Echocardiography performed in the emergency room revealed elevated right-sided cardiac pressures suggestive of severe pulmonary hypertension; however, no structural cardiac defect was discernible. The patient succumbed to congestive cardiac failure and progressive hypoxia within 5 days of hospitalization. The autopsy revealed a Type I aortopulmonary window (2 cm) with patent ductus arteriosus. The lungs showed changes of severe pulmonary hypertension with superadded bronchopneumonia. This report underscores a rare presentation of APW, undiagnosed until pregnancy, leading to the Eisenmenger syndrome and death.

Keywords

Aortopulmonary window, Heart defects, Congenital, Hypertension, Pulmonary, Autopsy

References

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Submitted date:
10/11/2020

Accepted date:
02/11/2021

Publication date:
04/15/2021

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