PULMONARY THROMBOENDARTERECTOMY - SURGICA L-TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION UNDER CIRCULATORY ARREST AND DEEP HYPOTHERMIA

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy under circulatory arrest and deep hypo thermia is presently a curative treatment for pulmonary hypertension s econdary to chronic pulmonary artery thromboembolic occlusion, but is still not frequently performed around the world. We report here the fi rst successful pulmonary thromboendarterectomy under circulatory arres t performed in Chile. the patient was a 37 year old white man, high sc hool teacher, with a 5 months history of effort dyspnea and cough. Pul monary hypertension secondary to chronic pulmonary thromboembolism was confirmed by angiography and echocardiography. The patient was operat ed on april 27, 1995. After the operation the patient had an immediate and maintained normalization of his pulmonary hemodynamics. He presen ted periods of delirium that postponed mechanical ventilation disconne ction until the 7(th) postoperative day, after which he had an unevent ful neurological recovery. Before hospital discharge a control angiogr aphy showed complete patency of the pulmonary artery system with no ev idence of residual thrombi. Presently he is enjoying a normal life and back to his teaching activities.