Sudden death due to dissecting pulmonary artery aneurysm: a case report and review of the literature.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm and pulmonary artery dissection are rare antemortem diagnoses, most often associated with sudden death. These pathologic entities are strongly associated with chronic pulmonary hypertension due to structural cardiac defects, either congenital or acquired. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman who died suddenly due to dissection and rupture of a large pulmonary trunk aneurysm, with subsequent cardiac tamponade. Key historical and physical findings are described. Additionally, we present a discussion of the incidence, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and pathologic diagnostic features of pulmonary artery dissection.