Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Pearls and Pitfalls of Diagnosis

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by chronic obstruction of major pulmonary arteries by organized thromboembolic material. Untreated CTEPH can result in pulmonary hypertension and eventually right heart failure, yet it is the only form of pulmonary hypertension that is potentially curable with surgical or catheter-based intervention. While early diagnosis is key to increasing the likelihood of successful treatment, CTEPH remains largely underdiagnosed. This article reviews the role of echocardiogram, ventilation/perfusion scan, and other available modalities in the diagnosis of CTEPH.