Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the definitive therapy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, with balloon pulmonary angioplasty and riociguat as options for inoperable patients.
This review summarizes the current management of CTEPH, highlighting pulmonary thromboendarterectomy as definitive therapy, balloon pulmonary angioplasty for unsuitable candidates, and riociguat for inoperable or persistent cases.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a specific type of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the major component of Group 4 pulmonary hypertension (PH). It is caused by pulmonary vasculature obstruction that leads to a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and, ultimately, to failure of the right ventricle. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA) is the only definitive therapy, so a timely diagnosis and early referral to a specialized PEA center to determine candidacy is prudent for a favorable outcome. Percutaneous balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has a potential role in patients unsuitable for PEA. Medical therapy with riociguat is the only PH-specific medical therapy currently approved for the treatment of inoperable or persistent CTEPH. This review article aims to revisit CTEPH succinctly with a review of prevailing literature.
Sharma et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the definitive therapy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, with balloon pulmonary angioplasty and riociguat as options for inoperable patients.