Clinical Results after Pulmonary Endarterectomy as a Curative Surgical Method in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: an Approach to Operative Classification of Thromboembolic Disease.
- Author:
Ju Yong LIM
1
;
Jae Won LEE
;
Jeong Won KIM
;
Sung Ho JUNG
;
Hyoung Gon JE
;
Hyun SONG
;
Cheol Hyun CHUNG
;
Suk Jung CHOO
Author Information
1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Sugery, Seoul Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Korea. jwlee@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pulmonary embolism;
Endarterectomy;
Reperfusion;
Nitric oxide
- MeSH:
Blood Pressure;
California;
Cardiopulmonary Bypass;
Dyspnea;
Edema;
Endarterectomy;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Hypertension, Pulmonary;
Incidence;
Intensive Care Units;
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin;
Nitric Oxide;
Pulmonary Embolism;
Reperfusion;
Retrospective Studies;
Thromboembolism;
Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency;
Vena Cava, Inferior;
Venous Thrombosis
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2008;41(5):591-597
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary endarterectomy is widely accepted as a treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Based on our experiences, we sought to find ways to reduce perioperative complications and to improve surgical outcomes in patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study was designed as a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with pulmonary hypertension who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy between January 1998 and March 2008. All patients presented with chronic dyspnea. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was the major cause of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (55%). Seventeen patients (85%) underwent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement. Thirteen patients underwent surgery under total circulatory arrest, while the others underwent surgery while on low flow cardiopulmonary bypass. Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty was done in 6 patients (66%) whose tricuspid regurgitation was as severe as grade IV/IV. The mean follow-up duration was 45+/-32 months. RESULT: Using of University of California, San Diego (UCSD), thromboembolism classification, 4 patients (20%) were type I, 8 patients (40%) were type II, and 8 patients (40%) were type III. Right ventricular systolic pressure was reduced significantly from 77+/-29 mmHg to 37+/-19 mmHg after pulmonary endarterectomy (p<0.001). The degree of tricuspid regurgitation and the NYHA functional class were all improved postoperatively. Reperfusion edema occurred in 7 cases (35%). The incidence of reperfusion edema was higher in the UCSD type III group than in the other group (25% vs 50%, p=0.25) and the length of postoperative intensive care unit stay was longer in type III group (5+/-2 days vs 9+/-7 days, p=0.07). The early mortality rate was 10%, and the late mortality rate was 15% (n=3); one death was due to progression of underlying non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the other deaths were related to recurrent thromboembolism and persistent pulmonary hypertension, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary endarterectomy, as a curative surgical method for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, should be performed aggressively in patients diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and an effort should be made to reduce the frequency of perioperative complications and to improve surgical outcomes.
