Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Pathophysiologic Basis for Diagnosis and Management

, Benjamin Hohlfelder2 and Samuel Z. Goldhaber3



(1)
Cardiovascular Division, Harvard Medical School Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

(2)
Department of Pharmacy Services, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

(3)
Thrombosis Research Group, Harvard Medical School Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

 



Abstract

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) may follow both single and recurrent episodes of pulmonary embolism (PE) and is characterized by persistent macrovascular obstruction, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and a secondary small-vessel arteriopathy. CTEPH used to be considered a rare complication but is now recognized to occur in 2–4 % of patients after PE. While patients may be initially asymptomatic, CTEPH frequently progresses to debilitating exercise intolerance, chronic dyspnea, and may culminate in chronic right ventricular (RV) failure. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the most effective therapy for CTEPH. Pulmonary vasodilators offer patients with CTEPH who are inoperable and those with post-operative persistent or recurrent pulmonary hypertension the potential for improved symptoms and functional capacity.


Keywords
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertensionDiagnosisPathophysiologyTreatment



Self-Assessment Questions




1.

Which of the following is not a risk factor for CTEPH?

(a)

Antiphospholipid antibodies

 

(b)

Hyperthyroidism

 

(c)

Recurrent PE

 

(d)

Systemic fibrinolytic therapy for PE

 

(e)

Pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 50 mmHg 6 months after PE diagnosis

 

 

2.

Which of the following is the definitive therapy for CTEPH?

(a)

Warfarin with a target INR of 2.0–3.0.

 

(b)

Riociguat 2.5 mg three-times daily

 

(c)

Surgical pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

 

(d)

Balloon pulmonary artery angioplasty and stenting

 

 


Clinical Vignette

A 69-year-old man with unprovoked PE 2 months prior was referred to Cardiovascular Medicine Clinic for exertional dyspnea despite consistently therapeutic anticoagulation with warfarin. Although the dyspnea and chest pressure associated with his diagnosis of PE improved initially with anticoagulation, these symptoms never resolved completely and became progressively worse. He had presented to his local Emergency Department 1 month earlier with chest pressure and dyspnea. A contrast-enhanced chest computed tomogram (CT) was performed and demonstrated no new PE. He was instructed to continue warfarin and follow-up with his Primary Care Physician, who subsequently referred him for cardiovascular evaluation. On physical examination, he had a heart rate of 105 beats per minute, blood pressure of 113/76 mmHg, respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, and an oxygen saturation of 90 % on room air. Although his lungs were clear to auscultation, his cardiac examination was remarkable for tachycardia, a loud sound of pulmonic closure (P2), and a III/VI holosystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border that increased with inspiration. Because of his history of PE and physical examination findings, a transthoracic echocardiogram was performed to evaluate for pulmonary hypertension. The echocardiogram demonstrated RV dilation and moderate tricuspid regurgitation (Fig. 11.1) with a severely elevated estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 84 mmHg (Fig. 11.2). A contrast-enhanced chest CT demonstrated extensive chronic bilateral PE consistent with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (Fig. 11.3). After definitive therapy with surgical pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, the patient’s exertional dyspnea completely resolved.

A327336_1_En_11_Fig1_HTML.jpg


Fig. 11.1
Transthoracic echocardiogram, apical four-chamber view, demonstrating a dilated right ventricle (RV) compared with the left ventricle (LV) (panel a) in a 69-year-old man with prior pulmonary embolism (PE) and progressive dyspnea on exertion. Color Doppler echocardiography showed moderate tricuspid regurgitation (blue color jet) (panel b)


A327336_1_En_11_Fig2_HTML.jpg


Fig. 11.2
Transthoracic echocardiogram, apical four-chamber view, demonstrating moderate pulmonary hypertension as defined by a peak tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (X) of at least 400 cm/s in a 69-year-old man with prior pulmonary embolism (PE) and progressive dyspnea on exertion. Using the modified Bernoulli equation (4× [peak tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity]2 + the estimate of right atrial pressure), the estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 84 mmHg


A327336_1_En_11_Fig3_HTML.jpg


Fig. 11.3
Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomogram (CT) demonstrating extensive obstruction of right main pulmonary artery and branches of the left main pulmonary artery (arrows) with chronic thromboembolic material in a 69-year-old man with prior pulmonary embolism (PE), progressive dyspnea on exertion, and severe pulmonary hypertension


Epidemiology


Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) may follow both single and recurrent episodes of PE (often asymptomatic) and is characterized by persistent macrovascular obstruction, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and a secondary small-vessel arteriopathy [1]. CTEPH used to be considered a rare complication but is now recognized to occur in 2–4 % of patients after PE. CTEPH is often overlooked because many patients lack a history of clinically overt PE. The risk of developing CTEPH is increased by PE-specific factors, certain chronic medical conditions, thrombophilia, and genetic predisposition (Table 11.1).

A327336_1_En_11_Fig4_HTML.jpg


Fig. 11.4
Algorithm for the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). PE pulmonary embolism, CT computed tomography



Table 11.1
Risk factors for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)







Pulmonary embolism (PE)-specific factors

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Jun 3, 2017 | Posted by in CARDIOLOGY | Comments Off on Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Pathophysiologic Basis for Diagnosis and Management

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