Dyspnea due to Pulmonary Vessel Arteritis

Pulmonary arteritis is a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension. Causes of pulmonary arteritis can be divided into primary and secondary, as well as classified according to vessel size. Only large vessel vasculitis is associated with pulmonary hypertension; primary forms include Takayasu arteritis and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Respiratory Journal
Main Authors: Suzana M Gilmour, Giulio S Dominelli, Jonathon A Leipsic, Robert D Levy
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/396217
https://doaj.org/article/f41ef89e83d64f7183da5e15fbb018b4
Description
Summary:Pulmonary arteritis is a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension. Causes of pulmonary arteritis can be divided into primary and secondary, as well as classified according to vessel size. Only large vessel vasculitis is associated with pulmonary hypertension; primary forms include Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis. The diagnosis of pulmonary arteritis can be challenging and the associated morbidity is serious without prompt, directed treatment. The authors present a case involving a 48-year-old First Nations man presenting with a six-month history of exertional dyspnea and severe stenosis of the left pulmonary artery, who was ultimately diagnosed with pulmonary arteritis related to large vessel vasculitis.