scholarly journals EXPRESS: Advances in balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

2021 ◽  
pp. 204589402110073
Author(s):  
Ehtisham Mahmud ◽  
Mitul Patel ◽  
Lawrence Ang ◽  
David Poch

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an emerging treatment option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who have inoperable, segmental/subsegmental disease, or residual disease after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). In the past decade, advances in the techniques for BPA have led to better clinical outcomes with improvements in hemodynamics, pulmonary perfusion, exercise tolerance, functional capacity, and quality of life. We present the experience with BPA at our University, the largest CTEPH center in the world, followed by reviewing the published data regarding the efficacy and safety of BPA in patients with CTEPH. There is increasing evidence to support that the initial hemodynamic improvement is sustained for ≥3 years after the procedure. Although infrequent, complications observed with BPA are associated with pulmonary vascular injury or rarely reperfusion pulmonary edema. As the technique for percutaneous pulmonary artery revascularization has improved, the procedural risk and complications have continued to decrease. This promising technique continues to develop and future research is required to demonstrate the long-term benefits of BPA, standardize the technique, and define a uniform institutional infrastructure for providing BPA as a part of the treatment of CTEPH.

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 320-330
Author(s):  
Wen Ruan ◽  
Jonathan JL Yap ◽  
Kevin KH Quah ◽  
Foong Koon Cheah ◽  
Ghee Chee Phuah ◽  
...  

Introduction: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a known sequela after acute pulmonary embolism (PE). It is a debilitating disease, and potentially fatal if left untreated. This review provides a clinically relevant overview of the disease and discusses the usefulness and limitations of the various investigational and treatment options. Methods: A PubMed search on articles relevant to pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary endarterectomy, and balloon pulmonary angioplasty were performed. A total of 68 articles were found to be relevant and were reviewed. Results: CTEPH occurs as a result of non-resolution of thrombotic material, with subsequent fibrosis and scarring of the pulmonary arteries. Risk factors have been identified, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. The cardinal symptom of CTEPH is dyspnoea on exertion, but the diagnosis is often challenging due to lack of awareness. The ventilation/perfusion scan is recommended for screening for CTEPH, with other modalities (eg. dual energy computed tomography pulmonary angiography) also being utilised in expert centres. Conventional pulmonary angiography with right heart catherisation is important in the final diagnosis of CTEPH. Conclusion: Operability assessment by a multidisciplinary team is crucial for the management of CTEPH, as pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) remains the guideline recommended treatment and has the best chance of cure. For inoperable patients or those with residual disease post-PEA, medical therapy or balloon pulmonary angioplasty are potential treatment options. Keywords: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, Pulmonary embolism, Pulmonary endarterectomy, Pulmonary hypertension


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255180
Author(s):  
Kotaro Miura ◽  
Yoshinori Katsumata ◽  
Takashi Kawakami ◽  
Hidehiko Ikura ◽  
Toshinobu Ryuzaki ◽  
...  

The efficacy of extensive balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) beyond hemodynamic improvement in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients has been verified. However, the relationship between extensive BPA in CTEPH patients after partial hemodynamic improvement and exercise tolerance or quality of life (QOL) remains unclear. We prospectively enrolled 22 CTEPH patients (66±10 years, females: 59%) when their mean pulmonary artery pressure initially decreased to <30 mmHg during BPA sessions. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and QOL scores using the 36-item short form questionnaire (SF-36) were evaluated at enrollment (entry), just after the final BPA session (finish), and at the 6-month follow-up (follow-up). We analyzed whether extensive BPA improves exercise capacity and QOL scores over time. Moreover, the clinical characteristics leading to improvement were elucidated. The peak oxygen uptake (VO2) showed significant improvement at entry, finish, and follow-up (17.3±5.5, 18.4±5.9, and 18.9±5.3 mL/kg/min, respectively; P<0.001). Regarding the QOL, the physical component summary (PCS) scores significantly improved (32±11, 38±13, and 43±13, respectively; P<0.001), but the mental component summary scores remained unchanged. Linear regression analysis revealed that age and a low peak VO2 at entry were predictors of improvement in peak VO2, while low PCS scores and low TAPSE at entry were predictors of improvement in PCS scores. In conclusion, extensive BPA led to improved exercise tolerance and physical QOL scores, even in CTEPH patients with partially improved hemodynamics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kimura ◽  
T Kohno ◽  
T Kawakami ◽  
T Shinya ◽  
T Hiraide ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction There has been increasing evidence of the efficacy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in improving the hemodynamics, exercise capacity, and biomarkers of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, there is no consensus on the adjustment of home oxygen therapy (HOT) and pulmonary hypertension (PH)-specific medications after BPA in patients with CTEPH. Purpose We aimed to examine the current status of the de-escalation/discontinuation of HOT and PH-specific medications post-BPA, and clarify its effect on subsequent hemodynamics, biomarkers, and long-term clinical outcomes. Methods and results From November 2012 to July 2019, 134 consecutive CTEPH patients who underwent BPA at a single university hospital were enrolled (age; 63.6±13.4 years, female; n=87 [64.9%], WHO functional class [WHO-FC] II/III/IV; 33/92/9). Hemodynamic data, functional capacity (6-minute walk distance and WHO-FC), biomarkers (brain natriuretic peptide [BNP] and high-sensitivity troponin T [hs-TropT]), and respiratory function were evaluated at baseline, immediately and 1 year post-BPA. Clinical outcomes (all-cause death and heart failure [HF] admission) were also assessed during the follow up period. The total number of sessions was 6.3±2.0, and the number of target vessels was 14.3±2.0. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 37.8±11.2 to 20.4±5.1 mmHg 1-year after BPA (p&lt;0.01). The proportion of patients who required HOT (at rest or on exertion) and combination medical therapy (≥2 PH-specific medications) decreased 1 year post-BPA (from 59.0% to 7.5%, and from 41.8% to 10.4%, respectively; Figure). Among 79 patients who required HOT during daytime, 64 patients (81.0%) discontinued HOT just after BPA completion. Among 56 patients who required combination medical therapy, 29 (51.8%) discontinued combination therapy. Baseline factors influencing the continuation of HOT and combination medical therapy post-BPA were almost identical (i.e. lower exercise capacity and pulmonary diffusion capacity, and worse hemodynamics). Results showed that discontinuation of HOT and combination medical therapy did not affect the maintenance of improved hemodynamics and levels of BNP and hs-TropT, and no adverse clinical outcomes (all-cause death and HF hospitalization) were observed during 1 year post-BPA. Conclusions Most CTEPH patients discontinued HOT and PH-specific combination medical therapy after BPA, which was not associated with the deterioration of hemodynamics, functional capacity, or biomarkers. No adverse long-term outcomes were observed. De-escalation/discontinuation of HOT and PH-specific combination medical therapy after BPA is feasible and safe for patients with CTEPH. De-escalation of HOT and medical therapy Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


1997 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
Gao Chang Qing ◽  
Rodolfo Barragan Garcia

We describe our experience of treating chronic major vessel thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Thromboendarterectomy was performed in 15 patients through a median sternotomy incision using extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia. Postoperatively mean pulmonary artery pressure, mean pulmonary vascular resistance, and cardiac index were significantly improved (p < 0.001). Four patients died during surgery, mainly from perfusion edema (operative mortality 27%). The 11 surviving patients received long-term anticoagulant therapy and no incidence of thromboembolism has occurred during the follow-up period. All have shown sustained pulmonary hemodynamic improvement; however, there were 2 late deaths from cardiac failure. We conclude that thromboendarterectomy is an effective treatment for chronic major vessel thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (143) ◽  
pp. 160119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Lang ◽  
Bernhard C. Meyer ◽  
Takeshi Ogo ◽  
Hiromi Matsubara ◽  
Marcin Kurzyna ◽  
...  

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is thought to result from incomplete resolution of pulmonary thromboemboli that undergo organisation into fibrous tissue within pulmonary arterial branches, filling pulmonary arterial lumina with collagenous obstructions. The treatment of choice is pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) in CTEPH centres, which has low post-operative mortality and good long-term survival. For patients ineligible for PEA or who have recurrent or persistent pulmonary hypertension after surgery, medical treatment with riociguat is beneficial. In addition, percutaneous balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an emerging option, and promises haemodynamic and functional benefits for inoperable patients. In contrast to conventional angioplasty, BPA with undersized balloons over guide wires exclusively breaks intraluminal webs and bands, without dissecting medial vessel layers, and repeat sessions are generally required. Observational studies report that BPA improves haemodynamics, symptoms and functional capacity in patients with CTEPH, but controlled trials with long-term follow-up are needed. Complications include haemoptysis, wire injury, vessel dissection, vessel rupture, reperfusion pulmonary oedema, pulmonary parenchymal bleeding and haemorrhagic pleural effusions. This review summarises the available evidence for BPA, patient selection, recent technical refinements and periprocedural imaging, and discusses the potential future role of BPA in the management of CTEPH.


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