Pathophysiology of Impaired Right and Left Ventricular Function in Chronic Embolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Study objectives: This study sought to evaluatethe pathophysiology of left and right heart failure in patients withchronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who werehospitalized to undergo pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). Design: Thirty-nine patients (16 women and 23 men;mean ± SD age, 55 ± 12 years) with severe CTEPH were examinedbefore and 13 ± 8 days after PTE by way of transthoracicechocardiography and right heart catheterization. Measurements and results: Examination resultsconfirmed in all cases that before surgery the right ventricles wereenlarged and systolic function was impaired. Moderate to severetricuspid valve regurgitation was observed. Left ventriculareccent…