Pulmonary Endarterectomy. Patient Selection, Technical Challenges, and Outcomes

In chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, thromboemboli do not undergo resolution but instead become highly organized and fibrotic, resulting in obstruction of segments of the pulmonary vascular tree. Progressive pulmonary hypertension ensues, with substantial associated morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in medical therapy for some types of pulmonary hypertension, surgical pulmonary endarterectomy, also referred to as pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, remains the only potentially curative option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. This article reviews patient selection, surgical technique, and outcomes for pulmonary endarterectomy in this patient population.