title: Surgical treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: It is likely that chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is more prevalent than currently recognised. Imaging studies are fundamental to decision making with respect to operability. All patients with suspected CTEPH should be referred to an experienced surgical centre. Currently, there is no risk scoring stratification system to guide operability assessment and it is predominantly based on surgical experience. The aim of pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the removal of obstructive material to immediately reduce pulmonary vascular resistance. PEA affords the best chance of cure, but is difficult to perfect. Recognition and clearance of distal segmental and subsegmental disease is the main problem. The basic surgical techniques include: median sternotomy incision, cardiopulmonary bypass, arteriotomy incisions within pericardium, and a true endarterectomy with meticulous full distal dissection. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is recommended as the best means of reducing blood flow in the pulmonary artery to allow a clear field for dissection. In the recent PEACOG (PEA and COGnition) trial there was no evidence of cognitive impairment post-PEA. Reperfusion pulmonary oedema and residual pulmonary hypertension are unique post-operative complications post-PEA and are associated with increased mortality. However, in-hospital mortality is now <5% in experienced centres.
authors.affiliation: Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK. david.jenkins@papworth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madani
authors.forename: Eckhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Nic
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klepetko
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morsolini
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dartevelle
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D050792:Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced / Q000379:methods; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D004691:Endarterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000601:surgery; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000601:surgery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000601:surgery; D012306:Risk; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*