Contralateral pulmonary artery stenosis after left pneumonectomy

Contralateral pulmonary artery stenosis is a rare complication following pn eumonectomy. When extensive intrapericardial dissection is warranted, one m ust be wary of this potential complication and take measures to avoid it. P ostoperatively, a high index of suspicion must be maintained in a patient w ith a new onset of right-sided heart failure after intrapericardial pneumon ectomy. We discuss intraoperative risk factors, postoperative clinical find ings, and our strategy for repair. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surg eons.