Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
09:22
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet
Published on: November 4, 2015
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Lara M Wittine1, William R Auger
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA.
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
|April 9, 2010
Summary
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is treatable with surgery. Misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate medical therapy, so consult specialized centers before treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to chronic thromboembolic disease (CTEPH) is a potentially curable condition.
- Surgical endarterectomy offers a cure for CTEPH, with improving outcomes due to surgical advancements.
- Medical therapies are available for CTEPH patients with surgically inaccessible disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the underappreciated nature of chronic thromboembolic disease.
- To address the diagnostic challenges in identifying surgically eligible CTEPH patients.
- To caution against the premature use of medical therapy in potentially operable CTEPH.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical experience and surgical outcomes in CTEPH.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria and interpretation in CTEPH.
- Evaluation of current therapeutic strategies for CTEPH.
Main Results:
- CTEPH is increasingly recognized but often underdiagnosed or mismanaged.
- Variability in surgical expertise leads to inconsistent patient selection for surgery.
- Inappropriate medical therapy may be prescribed to patients with surgically correctable CTEPH.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must be vigilant in diagnosing CTEPH and identifying surgical candidates.
- Specialized centers are crucial for accurate assessment and surgical consideration.
- Pulmonary hypertensive medications should be used cautiously in CTEPH patients pending surgical evaluation.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
A blood clot, or thrombus, is a semi-solid mass composed of fibrin, platelets, and red blood cells. When it forms within a vessel, it can obstruct blood flow, known as thrombosis. If part of the clot detaches, it becomes an embolus that can travel and block distant vessels. When this occurs in the pulmonary arteries, it causes a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).Origin and ImpactMost often, the embolus originates from a thrombus in the deep veins of the lower limbs, a condition called...
01:29Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
01:19Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term condition marked by persistent and only partially reversible airflow limitation. It involves two overlapping conditions—chronic bronchitis and emphysema—which often co-appear but differ in dominant symptoms and underlying mechanisms.Chronic Bronchitis FeaturesChronic bronchitis presents with a persistent productive cough and thick, sometimes purulent mucus due to airway inflammation, enlarged mucus glands, and goblet cell...
01:30Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...