After the acute pulmonary embolism, in the majority of the cases lysis occurs with recanalization of the pulmonary branches. However, in a small but undetermined number of patients (pts) with chronic pulmonary embolism (PE) the incomplete resolution of the embolic material may result in a severe pulmonary hypertension. The pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is an option, specially when the obstruction is proximal and the patient presents failure of the clinical treatment. Many surgical techniques have been used, but the utilized sternotomy, extracorporeal circulation and hypothermic circulatory arrest presented best results. Until January 95,15 pts with PE were operated upon. The pulmonary angiography showed pulmonary embolism at both lungs in 66.7% of the cases. Sternotomy was realized in 73.3%. Endarterectomy by retrograde traction of thrombus was used in these pts. Extracorporeal circulation was utilized in all pts, with medium time of 124.8 min. In 66.7% of the cases hypothermic circulatory arrest was realized with medium time of 34.2 min. The pulmonary artery pressure was 91/32/55 mmHg in the pre and presented reduction by 52/15/ 27 mmHg in the postoperative period. One hospitalar death due to coagulopathy, and one later death due to complications not related to surgery were registered. Of the 13 survivors, 1 (7.7%) presented reobstruction and 12 (92.3%) had good evolution and now are free of symptoms, with oral anticoagulation in a period of until 165 months (47mo). In conclusion, the pulmonary thromboendarterectomy realized by sternotomy and with help of the hypothermic circulatory arrest is a safe procedure for resolution of pulmonary embolus and symptoms, and maintenance of the results at longterm follow-up.
Embolism, pulmonary; Thromboendarterectomy, pulmonary; Hypertension, pulmonary