Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) are two terms characterizing symptomatic patients with chronic thromboembolic occlusions of pulmonary arteries with or without pulmonary hypertension at rest. Their diagnosis follows evolving schemas that integrate technological advances of pivotal imaging modalities among which computed tomography angiography plays a major role. This review article summarizes the current knowledge on the natural history of acute pulmonary embolism and its evolution toward chronic pulmonary embolism, as well as the imaging clues, for the identification of chronically obstructed pulmonary arteries. The requirements for imaging at the time of therapeutic decisions are also described in the light of recent updates in the literature from multidisciplinary groups of experts. Because an early diagnosis of CTEPH remains a challenge for the medical community, several practical issues are included in this article with the objective of improving the knowledge and collaboration between radiologists and clinicians in service to the patient.