Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA) is a single treatment of choice in selected patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy may be lifesaving for patients with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and proximal segment disease of the pulmonary arteries. A 72-year-old male case had a 50-80% occlusion in pulmonary artery branches due to chronic thromboembolism. Echocardiography revealed a pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of 110 mmHg, while right heart catheterization showed a mean PAP of 43 mmHg and PVR of 850 dyn/s/cm-5. The patient who was diagnosed with CTPEH underwent PEA. Pulmonary artery pressure was reduced to 40 mmHg at postoperative day 15. The patient died on postoperative day 22 due to a sudden cardiac arrest. Surgery is the most effective treatment approach for CTPEH cases. All risk factors should be carefully evaluated to reduce postoperative mortality. In this article, we present a case of CTEPH patient who underwent a successful PEA and died following surgery.

Keywords : Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary thromboendarterectomy