ERJ Express. Published on November 8, 2012 as doi: 10.1183/09031936.00058112 Surgical treatment of CTEPH Proceedings from the International Scientific and Educational Workshop in CTEPH, Cambridge, UK, 27th & 28th June 2011 DP Jenkins1, M Madani2, E Mayer3, K Kerr2, N Kim2, W Klepetko4, M Morsolini5,P Dartevelle6 1 Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK, 2 University of California at San Diego, USA, 3 Kerckhoff center, Bad Nauheim, Germany, 4 University of Vienna, Austria, 5 San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy, 6 Hopital Antoine Beclere, Paris, France. Word count: 4517 Author for correspondence DP Jenkins Papworth hospital Cambridge CB23 3RE UK Tel +44 (0)1480 364806/7 Facimile +44 (0)1480 364907 Email
[email protected] Copyright 2012 by the European Respiratory Society. Abstract It is likely that chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is more prevalent than currently recognised. Imaging studies are fundamental to decision making with respect to operability. All patients with suspected CTEPH should be referred to an experienced surgical centre. Currently there is no risk scoring stratification system to guide operability assessment and it is predominantly based on surgical experience. The aim of the pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) operation is the removal of obstructive material to immediately reduce pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). PEA affords the best chance of cure, but is difficult to perfect. Recognition and clearance of, especially distal segmental and subsegmental disease is the main problem. The basic surgical techniques include: median sternotomy incision, cardiopulmonary bypass, arteriotomy incisions within pericardium and a true endarterectomy with meticulous full distal dissection. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is recommended as the best means of reducing blood flow in the pulmonary artery to allow a clear field for dissection.