Findings on submillimeter MDCT are predictive of operability in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preoperative 16-MDCT at 0.7-mm collimation can be used to predict the presence of an endarterectomy plane by depicting abnormal thickening of the walls of central pulmonary arteries in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. MDCT scans of 40 patients were reviewed retrospectively by two radiologists who were blinded to surgical findings.


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCT in prediction of the presence of an endarterectomy plane were 99%, 80%, and 96%. Bilateral absence of an endarterectomy plane correlated with postoperative mortality according to Fisher's exact test results (p = 0.004). Submillimeter 16-MDCT therefore may be useful in predicting operability in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Paul
Jean-François
JF
Department of Radiology, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, 133 ave. de la Résistance, Le Plessis-Robinson, France 92350. pauljf@ccml.fr
Khallil
Antoine
A
Sigal-Cinqualbre
Anne
A
Leroy-Ladurie
François
F
Cerrina
Jacques
J
Fadel
Elie
E
Dartevelle
Philippe
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods