Balloon angioplasty as an alternative to thromboendarterectomy for proximal pulmonary artery obstruction in a patient with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a case report

Abstract

Thromboendarterectomy is undoubtedly the most widely used method in chronic thromboembolic hypertension treatment. Although surgical treatment is highly effective, it is often associated with high risk of complications. One of the main reasons for impossibility of surgery performance is distal pulmonary artery obstruction. In this case medical therapy or staged balloon angioplasty is considered the treatment of choice. This case report discusses if pulmonary artery angioplasty can be used in patients with proximal pulmonary artery obstruction.

Keywords

• pulmonary artery angioplasty
• thromboendarterectomy
• chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension