Stop the Bleed: Airway Hemorrhage After Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy?

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) as the definitive treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is widely recognized as a technically challenging operation. The University of California, San Diego group, which has pioneered and truly defined PTE, has set the benchmark for stellar outcomes, with a perioperative mortality rate of <5%. 1 Jamieson S.W. Kapelanski D.P. Sakakibara N. et al. Pulmonary endarterectomy: experience and lessons learned in 1,500 cases. Ann Thorac Surg. 2003; 76 ([discussion: 1462-1464]): 1457-1462 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (645) Google Scholar However, mortality yet does remain, as does substantial morbidity. Postoperative airway hemorrhage has been identified as a rare but highly lethal postoperative complication. Airway Hemorrhage Complicating Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy: Risk Factors and OutcomesThe Annals of Thoracic SurgeryVol. 116Issue 1PreviewAirway hemorrhage is a known complication of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Predisposing factors for postoperative airway hemorrhage have not been well described. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and outcomes of airway hemorrhage after PTE and to identify potential risk factors. Full-Text PDF