[Unusual complication of venous thrombosis of the upper limb: pulmonary hypertension]

Abstract

Although less frequent than that of the lower limbs, venous thrombosis of the upper limbs may cause pulmonary embolism. This embolism is usually moderate and facilitated by the delay or absence of anticoagulant treatment. We report the case of a young man who had multiple and recurrent embolism consecutive to thrombosis of the axillary and subclavian veins and who rapidly developed pulmonary arterial hypertension on previously healthy lungs. There was no venous disease of the lower limb. After a more than 2 years' period, the pulmonary arterial hypertension is still moderate, but the patient remains under long-term antivitamin K therapy, this being the only available treatment capable of preventing a deterioration that would result in post-embolic cor pulmonale and ultimately require lung transplantation.