Obstruction of the airways by the heart and pulmonary vessels in infants

Pediatr Radiol. 1977 Sep 1;6(2):81-7. doi: 10.1007/BF00973527.

Abstract

It is well known that certain cardiovascular abnormalities, frequently compress the airways in infants [1]. Two additional cardiac mechanisms of airway obstruction are described in this paper: progressive compression of the bronchial tree by left sided cardiac enlargement and infantile cardiac asthma due to compression of the small airways by pulmonary venous congestion. Functional and reversible collapse of the trachea is a frequent finding in cardiac asthma. Infants with these entities often appear to have primary pulmonary disease when in fact the underlying cause of their distress is cardiac in origin.

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / diagnostic imaging
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Cardiomegaly / complications*
  • Cardiomegaly / diagnostic imaging
  • Dyspnea, Paroxysmal / complications*
  • Dyspnea, Paroxysmal / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography