Medical and Surgical Management for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Single Center Experience

IntroductionPulmonary endarterectomy (PE) is the treatment of choice for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The aim of this study was to analyze our experience in the medical and surgical management of CTEPH.MethodsWe included 80 patients diagnosed with CTEPH between January 2000 and July 2012. Thirty-two patients underwent PE and 48 received medical treatment (MT). We analyzed functional class (FC), 6-min walking distance (6MWD), and pulmonary hemodynamics. Mortality in both groups and periods were analyzed.ResultsPatients who underwent PE were younger, mostly men, and had longer 6MWD. No differences were observed in pulmonary hemodynamics or FC at diagnosis. One year after treatment, all PE patients versus 41% in MT group were at FC I–II. At follow-up, the PE group showed greater increase in 6MWD, and greater reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance than the MT group (P<.05). Overall survival in the MT group at 1 and 5 years was 83% and 69%, respectively. Conditional survival in patients alive 100 days post-PE at 1 and 5 years was 95% and 88%, respectively. Surgical mortality in operated patients in the first period (2000–2006) was 31.3%, and 6.3% in the second (2007–2012).ConclusionsPE provides good clinical results, and improves pulmonary hemodynamics in patients who successfully overcome the immediate postoperative period. After a learning period, the current operatory mortality in our center is similar to international standards.