Treatment and Clinical Management of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension:An Update of Literature Review

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH)is a chronic,progressive,debilitating,and life-threa-tening complication of pulmonary embolism(PE).Recent technological advances have permitted various treat-ment options for the treatment of CTEPH,including surgery,angioplasty,and medical treatment,depending on the location and characteristics of lesions.Pulmonary endarterectomy(PEA)is the treatment of choice for CTEPH,as it offers excellent long-term outcomes and a high probability of recovery.Moreover,various medical and interventional therapies are currently being developed for patients with inoperable CTEPH.This review mainly summarizes the current treatment approaches of CTEPH,offering more options for specialist physicians to,thus,better manage chronic thromboembolic syndromes.

Pulmonary endarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension： preliminary exploration in China

Background Pulmonary endarterectomy is safe and effective surgical treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary endarterectomy in treatment of thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Methods A retrospective study of 15 patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital was performed. Obvious pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia were observed in all patients. Bilateral pulmonary endarterectomy was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass with profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. Results Two patients （2/15） died of residual postoperative pulmonary hypertension and bleeding complication. The other 13 cases had significant decrease in systolic pulmonary artery pressure （（92.8＋_27.4） mmHg vs. （49.3＋18.6） mmHg） and pulmonary vascular resistance （（938.7±464.1） dynes.s.cm5 vs. （316.8±153.3） dynes＇s.cm5）, great improvement in cardiac index （（2.31：LK）.69） L.min-l.m2 vs. （3.85±1.21） L.min-l.m2）, arterial oxygen saturation （0.67±O.11 vs. 0.96±0.22） and mixed venous 02 saturation （0.52±0.12 vs. 0.74±0.16） postoperatively compared to preoperative data. Mid-term follow-up showed that the cardiac function of all cases returned to NYHA class I or II, with great improvement in 6-minute walking distance （（138±36） m） and quality of life. Conclusions Bilateral pulmonary endarterectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass with the aid of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest can effectively reduce pulmonary hypertension and provide good mid-term hemodynamic and symptomatic results with low surgical mortality rate and few complications.

Chorea in a Chinese adult after pulmonary endarterectomy with deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest

We report a rare case about chorea in a Chinese adult after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy （PTE） with deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest.A 41-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of breathing difficulties for about three years and intermittent hemoptysis for about two months.Physical examination revealed mild cyanotic lips,lower extremity edema.He was classified as grade III heart failure according the classification system of the New York Heart Association （NYHA）.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension:State of the art

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension(CTEPH)is a complex chronic disease in which pulmonary artery stenosis or obstruction caused by organized thrombus can lead to increased pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance,ultimately triggering progressive right heart failure and death.Currently,its exact mechanism is not fully understood.Pulmonary endarterectomy(PEA)has immediate effects with low perioperative mortality and satisfactory prognosis in experienced expert centers for CTEPH patients with proximal lesions.Nevertheless,37%of patients are deemed unsuitable for PEA surgery due to comorbidities and other factors,and nearly half of the operated patients have residual or recurrent pulmonary hypertension.Riociguat is the only approved drug for CTEPH,although its effect is limited.Balloon pulmonary angioplasty(BPA)is a promising alternative treatment for patients with CTEPH.After more than 30 years of development and refinements,emerging evidence has confirmed its role in patients with inoperable CTEPH or residual/recurrent pulmonary hypertension,with acceptable complications and comparable longterm prognosis to PEA.This review summarizes the pathophysiology of CTEPH,BPA history and development,therapeutic principles,indications and contraindications,interventional procedures,imaging modalities,efficacy and prognosis,complications and management,bridging and hybrid therapies,ongoing clinical trials and future prospects.