Management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Current status and emerging options

摘要

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is the only cause of pulmonary hypertension for which there is a potential cure, in the form of surgical pulmonary endarterectomy. There is a strong link between pulmonary embolism and the development of CTEPH. Although initially felt to be a rare complication, this position has been reviewed, following several studies suggesting that up to 8.8% of patients develop CTEPH within the 2 years following pulmonary embolism. However, there is a significant discrepancy in the number of patients being diagnosed, referred and treated for CTEPH. In this review, we discuss the challenges of diagnosing CTEPH and present the current and emerging medical and surgical management options available for patients suffering with CTEPH.