Open AccessChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension, Pregnancy, and a Pulmonary Endarterectomy: A Rare Challenge
Author(s) -
Rosenzweig Erika B.,
Biscotti Mauer,
Cleary Kirsten,
Smiley Richard,
Bacchetta Matthew D.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pulmonary circulation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.791
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 2045-8940
DOI - 10.1086/687158
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension , pulmonary hypertension , pregnancy , cardiology , endarterectomy , intensive care medicine , stenosis , genetics , biology
It is well described that patients with group 1 forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension have a high risk of mortality during pregnancy and in the early postpartum period. However, to the authors' knowledge, the diagnosis and management of group 4 pulmonary hypertension due to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) during pregnancy with early postpartum pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) has not been previously reported. We report the case of a 28‐year‐old woman who received a diagnosis of CTEPH during her pregnancy, was managed as an inpatient by a multidisciplinary team throughout the pregnancy and early postpartum period, and underwent PEA 6 weeks after delivery. While the management of acute pulmonary embolus in pregnancy is well described, this unique case of CTEPH diagnosed during pregnancy illustrates several challenging management issues.