What is pulmonary artery dilatation?

There are arteries around basically every organ in the human body, and the main function of arteries is to transport blood from the heart. However, when a person's lungs expand, normal people generally do not have too many symptoms, and pulmonary artery dilatation is likely a congenital malformation that has occurred in a person while he or she is in the mother's womb. The following article will introduce you to the relevant knowledge about pulmonary artery dilatation.

Pulmonary artery dilatation refers to the enlargement of the pulmonary artery trunk without other malformations. It may be caused by uneven differentiation of the arterial trunk during embryonic development, resulting in larger pulmonary arteries and smaller aorta. Most patients are asymptomatic or have functional symptoms. Physical examination showed that the border of cardiac dullness did not increase, there was a systolic blowing murmur and systolic jet sound of less than grade 3 in the pulmonary valve area, and the second heart sound was split and slightly hypertrophic.

Clinical manifestations

Most patients are asymptomatic or have functional symptoms. Physical examination showed that the border of cardiac dullness did not increase, there was a systolic blowing murmur and systolic jet sound of less than grade 3 in the pulmonary valve area, and the second heart sound was split and slightly hypertrophic.

Laboratory tests

X-ray showed a bulging pulmonary artery segment, a small cardiac shadow, and normal pulmonary vascular shadows. The electrocardiogram was normal, echocardiography showed widening of the common pulmonary artery, cardiac catheterization examination showed no abnormalities, and cardiovascular angiography showed dilatation of the common pulmonary artery.

Diagnosis and Differentiation

Diagnosis is based on exclusion of various congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases that can cause pulmonary artery dilatation.

Difference between pulmonary artery dilatation and pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary artery dilatation refers to an anatomical abnormality, that is, the inner diameter of the pulmonary artery is enlarged. This may be related to the development of the pulmonary artery itself, and certain diseases may also cause pulmonary artery dilatation.

Let's talk about pulmonary hypertension first. It may cause pulmonary artery dilatation because long-term increase in pressure may cause pulmonary artery dilatation. In addition, certain inflammatory lesions and immune system diseases may also cause pulmonary artery dilatation. So it is an anatomical abnormality. For pulmonary hypertension, it refers to pressure. This situation is a pathological state. Pulmonary hypertension refers to the pressure of the pulmonary artery tested by a U-shaped catheter in a resting state. If it exceeds 30 mmHg, it is called pulmonary hypertension. Causes of pulmonary hypertension: Secondary causes mainly include congenital heart disease, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, etc. In addition, lung diseases such as pulmonary embolism are mainly due to the direct increase of pulmonary artery pressure after pulmonary artery obstruction. Pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung tumors may also lead to pulmonary hypertension.