Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy in Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Case Report
Tromboendarterectomía pulmonar en síndrome antifosfolípido: Reporte de caso
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22258/hgh.v10i3.470Abstract
Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a potentially curable cause of pulmonary hypertension resulting from persistent obstruction of the pulmonary arterial tree by organized thrombotic material. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) represents a significant risk factor due to its prothrombotic nature. Pulmonary endarterectomy is the definitive treatment in operable cases. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old woman with primary antiphospholipid syndrome and recurrent pulmonary embolism developed progressive dyspnea and functional limitation. Echocardiography demonstrated severe pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular dilation and dysfunction. Right heart catheterization confirmed severe precapillary pulmonary hypertension with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Pulmonary angiography revealed chronic thromboembolic obstruction. Intervention: The patient underwent bilateral pulmonary endarterectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermia, achieving complete removal of organized thrombotic material. Results: Immediate postoperative hemodynamic improvement was observed, with significant reduction in pulmonary artery pressure. The postoperative course was complicated by subdural hematoma, managed conservatively with favorable recovery. Conclusions: Pulmonary endarterectomy is a safe and effective treatment for APS-associated CTEPH, providing substantial hemodynamic and clinical improvement when performed in specialized centers. Keywords: Hypertension, Pulmonary; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Endarterectomy; Pulmonary Embolism; Pulmonary Artery (Source: MeSH, NLM).Downloads
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Manuela Lozano – Garrido, Juan Camilo Arzuza – Barros, Sofia Mariel Ricoy, Andrea Gisella Champutis – Arteaga, Iván Antonio Ortiz – Pacheco, Valentina Torres – Rodríguez, Juan Manuel López – Agudelo, Juan Santiago Serna - Trejos
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