ABSENT RIGHT PULMONARY ARTERY - PROBLEMS IN DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Two cases of congenital absence of the right pulmonary artery and one case of probably acquired obstruction of the right pulmonary artery are discussed. Patients with congenital absence of the right pulmonary artery frequently present with pulmonary hypertension during infancy, particularly if there is an associated patent ductus arteriosus. Adults with absent right pulmonary artery may be asymptomatic. The diagnosis may be suspected from the chest roentgenogram and confirmed by pulmonary angiography. Aortography is essential for the recognition of the not infrequent anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery. Previous surgical results and possible therapeutic approaches to the problem of absent right pulmonary artery are discussed. © 1969.