title: Findings on submillimeter MDCT are predictive of operability in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Radiology, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, 133 ave. de la Résistance, Le Plessis-Robinson, France 92350. pauljf@ccml.fr
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Paul
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Khallil
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Sigal-Cinqualbre
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Leroy-Ladurie
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Cerrina
authors: Elie
authors: E
authors: Fadel
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Dartevelle
mesh_terms: 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