Beyond Childhood: Percutaneous Closure of an Aortopulmonary Window with Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in an Adult Woman – A Case Report
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a rare congenital heart defect that may progress to pulmonary hypertension if untreated. Presented here is the case of a 25-year-old woman with type 1 APW diagnosed in childhood who presented with chest pain, headache, dyspnoea, and transient loss of consciousness. Imaging confirmed severe pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure 50 mmHg) and a positive vasoreactivity test, allowing for percutaneous closure. A 14 mm Amplatzer Septal Occluder was implanted under transoesophageal echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Postoperative complications comprised non-immune haemolytic anaemia and haematuria, likely due to minimal residual shunting, both managed conservatively. At 3-month follow-up, echocardiography showed stable device position, no residual shunt, pulmonary pressure reduction (36 mmHg), and mildly decreased systolic function with persistent left-sided dilation. This case supports the feasibility of percutaneous APW closure in selected adults with reversible pulmonary hypertension and highlights the need for structured echocardiographic and haemodynamic follow-up.
DOI: 10.15420/icr.2025.20
Authors: Felipe Eduardo Macías Prado, Jhon Mario German Gaibor, Rafel Ernesto Portaluppi Cervantes, Marcos Andrés Campozano Burgos, Mónica Carolina Guillen
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,146
OpenAlex ID: W4417117833
