Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet
Published on: November 4, 2015
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in patients with persistent chest symptoms after acute pulmonary
Elif Sahutoglu1, Esin Tuncay1, Gülfidan Aras1
1Department of Pulmonology, Yedikule Hospital for Chest Disease and Thoracic Surgery; İstanbul-Turkey.
Objective:
This study aimed to analyze the role of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in patients with persistent chest symptoms after acute PE.
Methods:
Patients aged between 18 and 80 years who were followed up for acute PE were screened for chest symptoms which persisted after the anticoagulation treatment. Patients suffering other types of pulmonary hypertension (PH) or metastatic malignancies were excluded in this study. Demographic and functional data of patients included this study were collected. The patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and ventilation/perfusion (VQ) scans. Also, invasive hemodynamic studies were done to patients with intermediate/high probability of VQ scans.
Results:
Of the 140 patients screen for this study, 29 patients (Female/Male=16/13) with mean age of 56.1±11.2 years and follow-up time of 35.1±17.7 months met the inclusion criteria. The mean systolic pulmonary artery blood pressure (sPAP) on transthoracic echocardiography was 28.9±4.9 mm Hg (range=20-40 mm Hg). Furthermore, intermediate or high probability of VQ scans was detected in 2 patients, who were subsequently diagnosed with CTEPH (6.9%) via right heart catheterization.
Conclusion:
CTEPH was diagnosed at a low rate in patients with persistent chest symptoms after the anticoagulation treatment for PE. CTEPH is still an elusive entity, which requires a multidisciplinary and invasive approach.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:27Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
01:22Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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...