Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Pulmonary Vein Arteries and Their Associated Complications

Alexandra Lucas^{* *}Correspondence: Alexandra Lucas, Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ, USA, Email:

Author info »

About the Study

Veins are blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood to the heart. Pulmonary veins are in charge of transporting oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. This distinguishes the pulmonary veins from other veins in the body that carry deoxygenated blood from the rest of the body back to the heart. Humans have four pulmonary veins, two in each lung. The right superior and right inferior pulmonary veins are the two right pulmonary veins. These are the vessels that transport blood from the right lung. Each pulmonary vein is connected to a network of capillaries (small blood vessels) in each lung's alveoli. Alveoli are tiny air sacs within the lungs that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.

These capillaries eventually connect to form a single blood vessel from each lung lobe. The right lung has three lobes, whereas the left lung is slightly smaller and only has two lobes. The right lung initially has three vessels, but the veins from the middle and upper lobes of the right lung tend to fuse together to form two right pulmonary veins. The right pulmonary veins deploy behind the right atrium and the superior vena cava, a large blood vessel.

The main pulmonary artery is in charge of transporting oxygendepleted blood from the heart to the lungs. The main artery divides into the left and right pulmonary arteries, each of which directs blood to the corresponding lung. These are the only arteries in the body that transport oxygen-depleted blood, along with the umbilical arteries. When a person has pulmonary hypertension, it can lead to heart failure in the right ventricle. In some cases, it is the result of another condition, such as heart disease, scleroderma, or a pulmonary embolism. The main pulmonary artery is in charge of transporting oxygen-depleted blood from the heart to the lungs.

The main artery divides into the left and right pulmonary arteries, each of which directs blood to the corresponding lung.

These are the only arteries in the body that transport oxygendepleted blood, along with the umbilical arteries. The umbilical arteries run through the uterus. The pulmonary artery, also known as the pulmonary trunk, emerges from the bottom of the right ventricle of the heart. The artery is both broad and narrows, measuring 1.2 inches in width and 2 inches in length. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when blood pressure rises in the right or left pulmonary artery or the main pulmonary artery, and it can cause symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

It occurs when the pulmonary trunk or branches of the pulmonary artery become too narrow, making it difficult for blood to travel to the lungs and obtain oxygen. This condition is frequently associated with another defect, most commonly a ventricular septal defect. As a result, the lower right ventricle (chamber) of the heart works harder to pump blood. The heart muscle thickens, causing the heart to enlarge. Congenital pulmonary artery stenosis is the most common cause of pulmonary artery stenosis. Adults are more likely to develop the condition as a result of infections or heart procedures.

It is a congenital heart defect. It results in a thickened or stiffened pulmonary valve. The flaps or leaflets of the valve can sometimes fuse together. A pulmonary valve that has thickened, stiffened, or fused cannot fully open. The heart has to work harder to push blood through the valve, causing it to enlarge.

High blood pressure that affects the lungs when the arteries in the lungs thicken and narrow, this is referred to as pulmonary hypertension. Blood flow from the pulmonary arteries to the lungs slows down. Pulmonary Hypertension can be caused by congenital heart defects (for example, a single ductus), as well as left heart valve and muscle diseases.