Temporary clamping of branch pulmonary artery for pulmonary hemorrhage after endarterectomy.

A 49-year-old man underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. A massive pulmonary hemorrhage developed, which was identified to be from the right lower lobe, when weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass was attempted. He was managed by temporary overnight clamping of the right pulmonary artery, after the upper lobe branch. The next morning the clamp was removed, the bleeding had stopped completely, and his chest was closed. The patient was discharged on the 21st day. At 14 months' follow-up, he is in New York Heart Association functional class I. In suitable patients, temporary clamping of branch pulmonary artery can be a useful salvage measure, as in this patient.