Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism has a poor long-term prognosis related to the level of pulmonary artery pressure . Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy represents the only effective treatment i n severe cases, although it is not routinely available in New Zealand. We r eport a patient with this condition who successfully underwent pulmonary th romboendarterectomy at the University of San Diego Medical Centre (UCSD), t o alert readers to the diagnosis, method of assessment and availability of this treatment option.