Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is a rare complication of pulmonary embolism and entails high morbidity and mortality. The gold standard for treatment is pulmonary endarterectomy, which improves haemodynamics and exercise capacity, and is potentially curative. Alternative options for the approximately one third of patients who are inoperable are percutaneous balloon pulmonary angioplasty and medical therapy. The aim of this article is to provide a clinical overview of the pharmacological, endovascular and surgical treatments for the condition.