Pulmonary endarterectomy in a Colombian cardiovascular center: experience and main outcomes

Abstract

Introduction:

Chronic thromboembolic disease is a major cause of severe pulmonary hypertension and disabling right ventricular dysfunction. Pulmonary endarterectomy (PE) is currently considered a therapeutic option that can cure these patients.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to review the experience at a Colombian PE cardiovascular center, the outcomes and most frequent complications.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective review of PEs performed from 2009 through 2017 was conducted, which form an e-database developed for cardiovascular surgery in 2009. All intra and postoperative events were recorded, as well as the major outcomes, including mortality.

Results:

Twenty-one patients (12 females and 9 males) were identified, with a mean age of 48 years [interquartile range (IQR): 30-70]; 76.2% had a New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class category III or IV, and the mean intensive care unit stay was 179hours (IQR 27-528). The most frequent perioperative complications were cardiac (right ventricular dysfunction, and biventricular dysfunction) and pulmonary (pulmonary edema and severe dysfunction disorders), with an overall mortality of 9.5%.

Conclusion:

Although the reported survival in this paper is similar to recently published trials, our work suggests that it is appropriate to foresee the possibility of postoperative cardiopulmonary support in these patients and to have a multidisciplinary team available, trained in caring for these events that have a negative impact on outcomes and survival of this surgical population.