1,721,251 research outputs found

    Pulmonary thromboendarteriectomy almost 50 years after the first surgical attempts

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    With increased experience in preoperative evaluation, surgical approach and postoperative care of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy can be performed with an acceptably low risk of death. Most patients, even those in a very compromised state, have excellent, long lasting result

    Pulmonary endarteriectomy: the treatment of choice for chronic thromboembolic pulmoanry hypertension

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    Abstract: A percentage ranging from 0.1 to 4.0 of patients recovering from acute pulmonary embolism develop chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Without intervention, CTEPH is a progressive and lethal disease for which there is no effective medical therapy. Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice. Lung transplantation is indicated only in few cases when PEA is not feasible. Since 1994 at the IRCCS San Matteo Hospital - University of Pavia (Italy), 134 PEAs have been performed. Preoperatively, NYHA class distribution was respectively 3-II, 56-III, and 75-IV; mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistances were 47 +/- 13 mmHg and 1149 +/- 535 dynes*s*cm(-5) respectively. The overall operative mortality has been 9.7% (4.5% in 2004). Survival at 3-month, 1-year, and 3-year follow-up was 89.5 +/- 2.6, 87.8 +/- 2.9, and 83.3 +/- 3.5% respectively; this last rate was unchanged up to 10 years. After PEA, mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistances were 25 +/- 9 mmHg and 322 +/- 229 dynes*s*cm(-5) respectively and these results were stable over time. At the 3-year follow-up, 94% of patients were in NYHA class I or II and the only therapy is anticoagulation
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