Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary artery thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is a surgical procedure that offers the only cure for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (TPH), a progressive form of secondary pulmonary hypertension. Current estimates indicate that 1% to 5% of patients who survive a pulmonary embolus will develop chronic TPH with progressively worsening pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure. This bilateral procedure is performed through a sternotomy incision using cardiopulmonary bypass, profound hypothermia, and intermittent circulatory arrest with antegrade cerebral perfusion. As an alternative to lung transplantation, PTE offers patients with chronic TPH an improved quality of life.