Maurizio Pin

Pulmonary endarterectomy for distal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension can be cured by pulmonary endarterectomy. Operability assessment remains a major concern, because there are no well-defined criteria to discriminate proximal from distal obstructions, and surgical candidacy depends mostly on the surgeons experience. The intraoperative classification of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension describes 4 types of lesions, based on anatomy and location. We describe our recent experience with the more distal (type 3) disease. METHODS More than 500 pulmonary endarterectomies were performed at Foundation I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo (Pavia, Italy). Because of recent changes in the patient population, 331 endarterectomies performed from January 2008 to December 2013 were analyzed. Two groups of patients were identified according to the intraoperative classification: proximal (type 1 and type 2 lesions, 221 patients) and distal (type 3 lesions, 110 patients). RESULTS The number of endarterectomies for distal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension increased significantly over time (currently ∼37%). Deep venous thrombosis was confirmed as a risk factor for proximal disease, whereas patients with distal obstruction had a higher prevalence of indwelling intravascular devices. Overall hospital mortality was 6.9%, with no difference in the 2 groups. Postoperative survival was excellent. In all patients, surgery was followed by a significant and sustained improvement in hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and functional parameters, with no difference between proximal and distal cases. CONCLUSIONS Although distal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension represents the most challenging situation, the postoperative outcomes of both proximal and distal cases are excellent. The diagnosis of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension should be achieved only in experienced centers, because many patients who have been deemed inoperable might benefit from favorable surgical outcomes.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: From transplantation to distal pulmonary endarterectomy

within the chest. For example, patients who have undergone Fontan palliation have only 1 atrioventricular valve, and a capacitance chamber must be constructed to adequately connect the TAH-t. Virtual implantation offers the ability to test several surgical approaches for device placement before the patient even enters the operating room. This study was limited by a single-center experience in a small patient cohort. In addition, the assessment by virtual implantation was retrospective, and no 50cc TAH-t device was actually implanted to confirm the predicted results of the virtual implantation because it was not available during the study. However, two 70cc TAH-t devices were placed successfully as predicted by virtual implantation. In conclusion, virtual compatibility testing allows device consideration for fit to be individualized and represents a movement away from using generalized assumptions about heart size, chest wall anatomy, and spatial relationships of cardiothoracic structures to determine fit. Disclosure statement

Pulmonary endarterectomy in the elderly: safety, efficacy and risk factors.

Aims Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, but there are few data in the literature about the results of this procedure in the elderly. In this study, we aimed to assess whether this type of surgery is effective and well tolerated for the elderly. Methods A total of 264 consecutive patients who underwent PEA between January 2008 and December 2012 were reviewed. PEA was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic ventricular fibrillation, with the aorta left unclamped. The population was dichotomized according to age into the following two groups: below 70 years (n = 176, younger patients) and at least 70-year-olds (n = 88, elderly patients). Regression models were used to identify predictors of hospital mortality and postoperative adverse events, and their interaction with age was tested. Results Hospital mortality was slightly, but not significantly higher in elderly patients (9.1 vs. 5.1%; P = 0.22). Effect modification by history of smoking and preoperative O2 therapy was present. The cumulative survival at 1, 2, and 4 years was 93, 92, and 91% among younger patients; and 88, 86, and 86% among older patients (P = 0.19). Clinical and hemodynamic improvement was similar in the two groups. Conclusion Despite a slightly higher short-term mortality, PEA is feasible and well tolerated for the vast majority of the elderly patients. Clinical and hemodynamic improvements are outstanding, with satisfactory long-term survival rates.

Pavia Experience in Reoperative Pulmonary Endarterectomy

In our experience, we reperformed pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) in 10 patients who previously underwent a first PEA. We analyzed this cohort of patients to investigate the main causes of recurrence of symptomatic pathology and the clinical and hemodynamic results of redo surgery. Between 1994 and April 2016, 10 of 716 patients were reoperated at our institution. Available postoperative data were analyzed, and a comparison between first and second PEA hemodynamic and clinical results was carried out. In-hospital mortality rate was also evaluated. After reoperation, mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 45?±?9 to 34?±?10?mm Hg, and pulmonary vascular resistance reduced from 932?±?346?dyne*s*cm?5 to 428?±?207?dyne*s*cm?5. Hemodynamic data revealed worthy results of redo PEA, although they are less important than after first PEA. The World Health Organization (WHO) functional class improvement demonstrated satisfactory clinical results. In-hospital mortality of repeat PEA is 40%. Reoperative PEA operative candidacy should be assessed in case of young patients, no other risk factor, and recent medical history of pulmonary hypertension. In the other cases, in-hospital mortality rate is very high and pulmonary hypertension-specific drug therapy or interventional approach should be previously considered.

Exercise Training After Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background: After undergoing a procedure of pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) may still experience reduced exercise capacity. Data on effects of exercise training in these patients are scant. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise training after PEA for CTEPH and if the presence of “residual pulmonary hypertension” may affect the outcome. Methods: Retrospective data analysis of CTEPH patients undergoing inpatient exercise training after PEA. According to predefined criteria, patients were divided into those with (group 1) and without (group 2) a “good” post-surgery hemodynamic response. Assessments of the 6-min walking distance test (6-min walking distance test [6 MWT]: primary outcome) were performed before and after surgery (before training), after training and at 3-month follow-up. Hemodynamic and lung function data were also analyzed. Results: Data of 84 and 26 patients of groups 1 and 2, respectively, were analyzed. After surgery patients showed a reduction in 6 MWT, which significantly reversed after training and further improved at 3 months (p = 0.0001), without any significant difference between groups. The percentage of patients reaching the minimal clinically important difference in 6 MWT was similar between groups. The significant (p = 0.0001) post-surgery improvement in hemodynamics was maintained at 3 months without any significant difference between groups. New York Heart Association functional class improved in parallel to the hemodynamic improvement. Conclusions: Exercise training in patients with CTEPH after PEA, an inpatient exercise training program, improves exercise capacity for up to 3 months, independently of the post-surgery hemodynamic response.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Reversal of pulmonary hypertension but not sleep disordered breathing following pulmonary endarterectomy

BACKGROUND It has been hypothesized that pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) may trigger sleep disordered breathing (SDB). In patients with chronic thromboembolic PH (CTEPH), pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is potentially effective to improve PH. We assessed the pre- and post-operative prevalence of SDB in CTEPH patients submitted to PEA and the relationship between SDB and clinical, pulmonary and hemodynamic factors. METHODS Unattended cardiorespiratory recording was performed the night before and one month after elective PEA in 50 patients. RESULTS Before the intervention SDB prevalence (obstructive or central AHI ≥ 5/h) was 64%: 18 patients (66% female) had No-SDB, 22 (68% female) had dominant obstructive (dOSA), and 10 (20% female) had dominant central sleep apnea (dCSA). There were no differences in risk factors and the need for supplemental oxygen. Mean right atrial (mRAP) and pulmonary artery pressures (mPAP) showed a more compromised profile from No-SDB to dOSA and dCSA (mRAP: 5.5 ± 3.9 vs 7.0 ± 4.5 vs 9.7 ± 4.3 mm Hg (p = 0.054), mPAP: 39 ± 12 vs 48 ± 11 vs 51 ± 16 mm Hg (p = 0.0.47)). By contrast, cardiac index did not differ. At post-intervention, the prevalence of SDB was 68%: 16 patients had No-SDB, while 30 had dOSA and 4 dCSA, with no relationship with the relief from PH. Interestingly, 5 patients with previous CSA moved to the OSA group and 2 normalized. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of SDB is high in patients with CTEPH even after resolution of PH. Our data support the hypothesis that pre-capillary PH may trigger CSA but not OSA, and suggest that OSA may play a role in the development of CTEPH.

Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: the Effects of Pulmonary Endoarterectomy

In patients with chronic thromboembolic PH (CTEPH), pulmonary endoarterectomy (PEA) provides effective relief from PH. We assess the pre- and post-operative prevalence of SDB in patients with CTEPH who had been submitted to PEA and the relationship between SDB and clinical and physiological factors. Cardiorespiratory recording was performed on the night before intervention and 3-months later in 50 patients (mean age 62.5±11.1 yrs) undergoing PEA. Patients were classified as central sleep apnea (CSA) if >70% of the events were central or as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) if > 70% were obstructive. At pre-intervention, 14 patients (57% female) had No SDB, 26 (73% female) had OSA, and 10 (20% female) CSA. There were no differences in the history of venous thrombosis, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes, COPD and in the presence of oxygen therapy. Mean right atrial pressure (RAP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and TAPSE showed a trend toward a more compromised profile from NoSDB to OSA and CSA. RAP: 5.6±4.2 vs 6.7±4.3 vs 9.7±4.3 mmHg (p=0.07), PAP: 40±13 vs 47±12 vs 51±16 mmHg (p=0.11), TAPSE: 19±4 vs 16±3 vs 17±3 (p=0.06). Cardiac Index, PaO2 and PaCO2 were similar among the 3 groups. At post-intervention, the prevalence of SDB did not change: 12 patients had NoSDB, while 34 had OSA and 4 CSA. However, no trend was found in the relief from PH. PAP was 27±9 vs 25±7 vs 23±6 mmHg (p=0.73). Interestingly, 7 patients with previous CSA moved to the OSA group. Prevalence of SDB is high in patients with CTEPH even after resolution of PH. These data do not support the hypothesis that precapillary PH may trigger SBD, but rather suggest that SDB may be a causative factor leading to PH.