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Cor pulmonale: a lethal complication of ventriculoatrial CSF diversion

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Abstract

We report the case of a child with cor pulmonale due to chronic thromboembolism from a ventriculoatrial shunt. The patient's pulmonary hypertension and heart failure did not resolve after removal of the atrial catheter and conversion to a ventriculoperitoneal system, and death ensued 2 months later. The reasons for the historical ascendancy of ventriculoperitoneal over ventriculoatrial shunts must be recalled when circumstances make the peritoneal cavity an unsuitable receptacle for CSF diversion. Patients with ventriculoatrial shunts must be monitored for cardiopulmonary complications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurological Surgery Section, Madigan Army Medical Center, 98431-5482, Tacoma, WA, USA

    Joseph H. Piatt Jr.

  2. Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, M5G 1X8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Harold J. Hoffman

Authors
  1. Joseph H. Piatt Jr.
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  2. Harold J. Hoffman
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The opinions of the authors are their own and do not purport to represent the positions of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense

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Piatt, J.H., Hoffman, H.J. Cor pulmonale: a lethal complication of ventriculoatrial CSF diversion. Child's Nerv Syst 5, 29–31 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00706743

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00706743

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