Pulmonary Artery Sling Clinical Presentation

Updated: Jun 13, 2017
  • Author: Stuart Berger, MD; Chief Editor: Howard S Weber, MD, FSCAI  more...
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Presentation

History and Physical Examination

In patients with pulmonary artery sling, the history is predictable and usually not subtle. Most infants are affected within the first few weeks of life and present with stridor, respiratory distress, cyanosis, wheezing, and/or pneumonia.

Physical examination demonstrates respiratory distress with stridor, dyspnea, and wheezing. When tracheal obstruction is present, the infant may have constant retractions and tachypnea. If a congenital heart defect is associated, its typical physical findings can be identified.