Pulmonary endarterectomy through inverted-T upper hemisternotomy.

Objective: We aimed to explore the feasibility of an inverted-T upper hemisternotomy approach for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and report the results after 17 cases.

Methods: PEA was conducted through a 7-cm skin incision using an inverted-T upper hemisternotomy across the third intercostal spaces. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established through central arterial and percutaneous femoral dual-staged venous cannulation.

The volume-outcome relation for pulmonary endarterectomy in chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: We conducted a volume-outcome (V-O) meta-analysis of PEA procedures for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), to objectively determine the minimum required annual case load that can define a high-volume centre.

Methods: Three electronic databases were systematically queried until May 1st, 2024. Centres were divided in volume tertiles (Ts).

Pulmonary arterial hypertension drugs can partially restore altered angiogenic capacities in -silenced human lung microvascular endothelial cells.

Mutations in the () gene and signaling pathway impairment are observed in heritable and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In PAH, endothelial dysfunction is currently handled by drugs targeting the endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and prostacyclin (PGI) pathways. The role of angiogenesis in the disease process and the effect of PAH therapies on dysregulated angiogenesis remain inconclusive.

Machine learning to differentiate pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease from pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background And Aims: Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) is the most frequent form of PH. As differential diagnosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has therapeutic implications, it is important to accurately and noninvasively differentiate PH-LHD from PAH before referral to PH centres. The aim was to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model to improve prediction of PH-LHD in a population of PAH and PH-LHD patients.

Monographic Issue on Pulmonary Hypertension: Medical and Interventional Treatment for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism. The reasons why clots do not resorb are incompletely understood, but the result is partial or complete fibrothrombotic obstruction of pulmonary arteries. A secondary microvasculopathy aggravates the pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a consequence of high flow and shear stress in the nonoccluded arteries.

Anthracofibrosis mimicking chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

We present the case of a 78-year-old female undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) because of suspected chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). During surgery firm black masses were encountered in the aortopulmonary window and on the cranial part of the right pulmonary artery (PA). After PA arteriotomy we visualized intraluminal black firm stenosing plaques at the orifices of the three right and of the left lingular and lower lobar branches.

Impairment of Angiogenesis-Driven Clot Resolution Is a Key Event in the Progression to Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Validation in a Novel Rabbit Model.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a life-threatening condition and rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism. Mechanisms underlying impaired clot resolution and in sustained fibrothrombotic obstruction of the pulmonary arterial bed remain poorly understood. Since defective angiogenesis correlated to defective clot resolution based on observations in surgical material from patients with CTEPH, we aimed to validate its crucial pathogenic role by intrathrombus inhibition of angiogenesis in a novel CTEPH rabbit model.

Telemonitoring-guided ambulatory fixed CPAP titration versus ambulatory APAP titration in moderate obstructive sleep apnea: A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.

The present study aimed to evaluate whether titration of fixed continuous positive airway pressure at home using telemonitoring produces patient outcomes equal to auto-adjusting positive airway pressure titration at home for patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Patients were randomized with a 1:1 allocation ratio to receive either auto-adjusting positive airway pressure titration based on the median of the 95th percentile pressure across seven nights or fixed continuous positive airway pressure titration based on a fixed calculated pressure and specific adaptations after telemonitoring of device data after 3 and 7 nights. The results of the ambulatory titration were evaluated with in-laboratory polysomnography after 2 weeks.

Long-term effects of COVID-19 on lungs and the clinical relevance: a 6-month prospective cohort study.

We aimed to explore the prevalence of prolonged symptoms, pulmonary impairments and residual disease on chest tomography (CT) in COVID-19 patients at 6 months after acute illness. In this prospective, single-center study, hospitalized patients with radiologically and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included. A high proportion of the 116 patients reported persistent symptoms (n = 54; 46.

Genetic counselling and testing in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a consensus statement on behalf of the International Consortium for Genetic Studies in PAH.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease that can be caused by (likely) pathogenic germline genomic variants. In addition to the most prevalent disease gene, (bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2), several genes, some belonging to distinct functional classes, are also now known to predispose to the development of PAH. As a consequence, specialist and non-specialist clinicians and healthcare professionals are increasingly faced with a range of questions regarding the need for, approaches to and benefits/risks of genetic testing for PAH patients and/or related family members.

Short-term positive effects of a mandibular advancement device in a selected phenotype of patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective study.

Study Objectives: To evaluate (determinants of) treatment success of mandibular advancement device application in a selected phenotype of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: Ninety nonobese patients with moderate OSA (obstructive apnea-hypopnea index [OAHI] ≥ 15 and < 30 events/h) without comorbidities were prospectively included. Polysomnography was performed at baseline and with a mandibular advancement device.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: diagnosis, operability assessment and patient selection for pulmonary endarterectomy.

Healthcare providers outside pulmonary hypertension (PH) centers having misinformation or insufficient education, and a general lack of treatment awareness contribute to a massive underdiagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), diagnostic delay and refusal of surgery by patients. Together with the subjective operability assessment, this leads to too few patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA); even though this surgery results in improved survival and exercise capacity. Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) survivors should undergo a CTEPH screening strategy.

Incremental Experience in In Vitro Primary Culture of Human Pulmonary Arterial Endothelial Cells Harvested from Pulmonary Arterial Catheters.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating condition affecting the pulmonary microvascular wall and endothelium, resulting in their partial or total obstruction. Despite a combination of expensive vasodilatory therapies, mortality remains high. Personalized therapeutic approaches, based on access to patient material to unravel patient specificities, could move the field forward.

Magnetic resonance relaxometry of the liver - a new imaging biomarker to assess right heart failure in pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Right heart failure (RHF) in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients is manifested by increased right atrial (RA) pressure. We hypothesized liver relaxation times measured at cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can be used to noninvasively assess increased right-sided filling pressure.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients, that is, 37 PH patients and 8 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease patients without PH underwent right heart catheterization and CMR.

Comorbidity clusters in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent and multifaceted disease. To date, the presence and severity of objectively identified comorbidities and their association with specific OSA phenotypes, CPAP adherence, and survival remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to cluster patients with OSA based on 10 clinically important objectively identified comorbidities, and to characterize the comorbidity clusters in terms of clinical and polysomnographic characteristics, CPAP adherence, and survival.

PH CARE COVID survey: an international patient survey on the care for pulmonary hypertension patients during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the health care systems suspended their non-urgent activities. This included the cancellation of consultations for patients with rare diseases, such as severe pulmonary hypertension (PH), resulting in potential medication shortage and loss of follow-up. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate PH patient health status evolution, access to health care and mental health experience during the early phase of the pandemic.

Oxygen Pathway Limitations in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background: Exertional intolerance is a limiting and often crippling symptom in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Traditionally the pathogenesis has been attributed to central factors, including ventilation/perfusion mismatch, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and right heart dysfunction and uncoupling. Pulmonary endarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty provide substantial improvement of functional status and hemodynamics.

COVID-19 in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a reference centre survey.

https://bit.ly/3jGuBQq.

Intravascular Leiomyomatosis as a Rare Cause of Nonthrombotic Pulmonary Embolism.

Intravascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a very rare condition. It is characterized by the proliferation of benign smooth muscle cells within vascular structures without invasion of these tissues. Symptoms depend on the site of origin and the extent of invasion.

Sleep-disordered breathing after lung transplantation: An observational cohort study.

Data concerning sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) after lung transplantation (LTX) are scarce. This study aims to analyze prevalence, associated factors, and impact on survival of moderate to severe SDB in a large cohort of consecutive LTX patients (n = 219). Patients underwent a diagnostic polysomnography 1 year after LTX.

Learning from registries in pulmonary arterial hypertension: pitfalls and recommendations.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare and incurable chronic disease characterised by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure. Patient registries collecting observational data can be of great value in the understanding of clinical problems. While clinical trials provide data in selected patient populations, registries better depict real-life practice.