scholarly journals Feasibility of a Noninvasive Operability Assessment in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension under Real-World Practice

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 855
Author(s):  
Adriana Rodriguez Chaverri ◽  
Yolanda Revilla Ostolaza ◽  
Maria Jesus Lopez-Gude ◽  
María Teresa Velazquez ◽  
Ines Ponz de Antonio ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a noninvasive operability assessment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) based on multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MCTA). Up to 176 patients were evaluated from January 2016 to April 2018. Throughout the first phase, the initial surgical decision was made based on MCTA with further analysis of pulmonary angiography (PA) in order to evaluate in which cases the initial decision was not modified by PA. During the second phase, PA was limited to patients judged inoperable based on MCTA or those whose assessment was not possible. Patients deemed operable (50%) based on MCTA along the first phase had been adequately classified, as PA did not modify the initial decision in all but one patient. Comparable results were obtained throughout the implementation phase. Regarding operated patients, the decision of operability was based solely on MCTA in 94% of those with level I disease, in 75% with level II, and 54% with level III. This approach enabled shorter periods of time to complete surgical assessment and the avoidance of PA-related morbidity. Baseline parameters, postoperative measures, and survival rates at 1 year after surgery were comparable in both phases. Noninvasive operability assessment is feasible in a subset of CTEPH patients and optimizes surgical candidacy evaluation.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
adriana Rodriguez Chaverri ◽  
Yolanda Revilla Ostolaza ◽  
Maria Jesus Lopez-Gude ◽  
María Teresa Velazquez ◽  
Ines Ponz de Antonio ◽  
...  

Abstract Background – The development of an optimized assessment of operability in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a noninvasive operability assessment of CTEPH based on multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MCTA). Methods –176 patients with CTEPH were evaluated from January 2016 to April 2018. Throughout the first phase, operability was assessed with MCTA and pulmonary angiography (PA): initial surgical decision was made based on MCTA with further analysis of PA to evaluate which cases initial decision was not modified by PA. During the second phase, PA was limited to patients judged inoperable based on MCTA or in those whose assessment was not possible. Results – Patients deemed operable (50%) based on MCTAalong the first phase, had been adequately classified, as PA did not modify the initial decision in all but one patient. Comparable results were obtained throughout the implementation phase, in which decision of operability was based on MCTA in 49% of the patients. Regarding operated patients, decision of operability had been based solely on MCTA in 94% of those with level I disease regarding intraoperative CTEPH classification; in 75% with level II disease and 54% with level III. This approach enabled shorter time periods to complete surgical assessment and the avoidance of PA-related morbidity. Baseline parameters, postoperative measures and survival rates at 1 year after surgerywere comparable in both phases. Conclusions - Noninvasive operability assessment is feasible in a subset of CTEPH patients and optimizessurgical candidacy evaluation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (136) ◽  
pp. 253-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea M. D'Armini

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterised by the presence of thromboembolic material in the pulmonary circulation, and patients have a poor prognosis without treatment. Patients present with nonspecific symptoms, such as breathlessness and syncope, which means that other more common conditions are sometimes suspected before CTEPH, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. This is problematic because CTEPH is potentially curable with surgical pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA); indeed, CTEPH should always be considered in any patient with unexplained pulmonary hypertension (PH).Several key evaluations are necessary and complementary to confirm a diagnosis of CTEPH and assess operability. Echocardiography is initially used to confirm a general diagnosis of PH. Ventilation/perfusion scanning is then essential in the first stage of CTEPH diagnosis, with a wedge-shaped perfusion deficit indicative of CTEPH. This should be followed by right heart catheterisation (RHC) which is mandatory in confirming the diagnosis and providing haemodynamic parameters that are key predictors of the risk associated with PEA and subsequent prognosis. RHC is ideally coupled with conventional pulmonary angiography, the gold-standard technique for confirming the location and extent of disease, and thus whether the obstruction is surgically accessible. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography is also now routinely used as a complementary technique to aid diagnosis and operability assessment.Recent improvements in the resolution of other noninvasive techniques, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, allow for detailed reconstructions of the vascular tree and imaging of vessel defects, and interest in their use is increasing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Martinez Santos ◽  
A Aurtenetxe Perez ◽  
M J Lopez Gude ◽  
J A Barbera ◽  
M Lopez Meseguer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) treatment has evolved over the last decade. Increasing evidence regarding new therapeutic developments has shown clinical benefit among these patients in different scenarios. However, there is scarce information about the long-term impact of these achievements in a real-life population on a national scale. We aimed to analyze the impact of current CTEPH therapies on survival in Spain. Methods We prospectively collected epidemiological, clinical and prognostic data from CTEPH patients consecutively included in the Spanish REHAP registry from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017. All-cause mortality data were gathered during this period. Results Eight hundred thirteen patients were included. The mean age was 61 (15) years and 58.1% were women. Out of the 813 patients, 537 (66%) were referred to an expert PH-center. Overall, 245 (30.1%) patients were selected for surgery and 52 (6.4%) for percutaneous treatment and 452 (60.5%) received medical treatment exclusively with specific PH drugs. Survival rates of patients who underwent an invasive procedure (pulmonary thrombendarterectomy or balloon pulmonary angioplasty) were remarkably high. Figure 1. Cumulative survival from date Conclusions Patients who underwent pulmonary thrombendarterectomy or balloon pulmonary angioplasty associated a better outcome. Acknowledgement/Funding We gratefully acknowledge all investigators of the REHAP Registry. We express our gratitude to Actelion, Ferrer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Merck Sharp


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. e28-e32
Author(s):  
Ryan Logue ◽  
Zeenat Safdar

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a common long-term complication of pulmonary embolism characterized by thromboembolic obstruction of the pulmonary arteries, vascular arteriopathy, vascular remodeling, and ultimately pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) surgery is the standard of care, approximately 40% of patients in the international CTEPH registry were deemed inoperable. In addition to lifelong anticoagulation, the cornerstone of PH-specific medical management is riociguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator. Medical management should be started early in CTEPH patients and may be used as a bridge to PEA surgery or balloon pulmonary angiography. Medical management is indicated for inoperable CTEPH patients and patients who have recurrence of PH after PEA surgery.


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


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Fathala ◽  
Alaa Aldurabi

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is one of the leading causes of pulmonary hypertension. Diagnosis of CTEPH can be established using various imaging techniques, including ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy (VQ) and multidetector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of direct pulmonary vascular, parenchymal lung, and cardiac abnormalities on CTPA in patients with CTEPH and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of both VQ scan CTPA in detecting CTEPH.Methods: we retrospectively included 54 patients who had been referred for pulmonary hypertension service (20 males, 34 females). All patients had VQ scan and CTPA within 15 days and underwent pulmonary artery endarterectomy (PEA) thereafter. VQ scan were reported according to modified PIOPED (Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis) criteria. CTPA was considered as diagnostic for CTEPH if it showed presence of thrombus, webs, stenosis, or perfusion lung abnormalities.Results: The mean age of the study population was 41±10 years. The mean pulmonary artery pressure was 53±13 mmHg. Fifty-three of 54 patients in the study population had high probability VQ scan and one patient had intermediate probability. CTPA was suggestive of CTEPH in all patients. The most frequent CTPA findings in the central pulmonary arteries and peripheral arteries were presence of thrombotic materials, abnormal vessel tapering and abrupt vessels-cut off (76% vs 65%, 67% vs 48%, and 48% vs 22%), respectively. The mosaic lung perfusion was present in 78% in the patients, and various cardiac morphology abnormalities were presents and most common was abnormal right to left ventricle ratio, 69%.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that both VQ scan and CTPA are highly sensitive for the detection of CTEPH confirmed by PEA. Most CTEPH patients had several pulmonary vascular, parenchymal lung and cardiac abnormalities. There was no sign with 100% sensitivity on CTPA for CTEPH detection.


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