Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a review of current practice.

Pulmonary artery hypertension is a complex and multi-faceted disease process with numerous etiologies. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is an underdiagnosed and highly treatable form of pulmonary hypertension. In this disease, certain patients with a history of pulmonary thromboembolic disease go on to develop elevated pulmonary artery pressures, shortness of breath, and progressive right heart failure. This article will review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of CTEPH with a review of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery.