Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) provides a curative alternative to th e otherwise fatal condition of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertensio n (CTEPH). However, the condition is under-diagnosed due to a lack of aware ness. An acceptable operative mortality of around 10% and long-term surviva l exceeding medical therapy or transplantation makes PTE a favourable choic e for the treatment of CTEPH. Outcome is further optimised if the disease i s diagnosed early and patients referred to specialised centres. An increase in the number of surgical procedures will also contribute to lower the mor tality associated with this condition.