CTEPH is the only type of pulmonary hypertension that may be curable. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice for CTEPH. The PEA surgery leads to major clinical improvements due to improved hemodynamic parameters and oxygenation and reduction in dead space ventilation. The surgery can also be curative in a large number of patients with resolution of the pulmonary hypertension. Most patients experience significant functional recovery and can return to their baseline physical activity without supplemental oxygen.
CTEPH patients are evaluated for PEA surgery at a CTEPH clinic. During your clinic visit, the thoracic surgeon and their team will check your health and look at all of your test results. This will help them decide if you are a candidate for PEA surgery.
If PEA surgery is not the best option for you, the CTEPH team will assess you to find other treatment options that may include:
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Pulmonary hypertension medication Riociguat® (Adempas®) – approved in Canada in 2013 for treatment of non-operative or residual post-operative CTEPH (WHO class IV).
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Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA) – an investigational procedure that is done by an interventional radiologist to dilate pulmonary arteries that are obstructed by the chronic scar tissue.