Does Age Matter? Pulmonary Endarterectomy in the Elderly Patient with CTEPH

Pulmonary Endarterectomy: Risk Factors for Early and Late Mortality

BACKGROUND

 Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is a potentially curative treatment option for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This study aimed to identify predictors of short- and long-term outcomes after PEA for CTEPH patients, including age.

METHODS

 Patients who underwent surgery between March 2014 and January 2024 were included in the study. Perioperative and follow-up data were retrospectively studied, including age, in-hospital mortality, 1- and 5-year survival, and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays after PEA.

RESULTS

 In total, 834 consecutive patients (mean age 51 ± 15.3 years) underwent PEA and were included in the analysis. The in-hospital mortality rate was 7.8% (n = 65), while overall mortality rates at 1 and 5 years were 10.6% and 11.3%, respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.7% for patients <70 years compared with 12.4% for patients ≥70 years (p = 0.029). In the multivariate analysis of mortality, age (p = 0.007), and length of ICU stay (p = 0.028) emerged as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, while the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p < 0.001) and 6-minute walk distance (p = 0.005) were also significant predictors of 1-year survival.

CONCLUSION

 Despite higher short-term mortality rates, PEA was feasible and well-tolerated among elderly patients. Despite surgical advancements, careful patient selection remains crucial, particularly in the presence of comorbidities. Significant clinical and hemodynamic improvements were observed, along with favorable long-term survival outcomes.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is a complication of pulmonary embolism and a treatable cause of pulmonary hypertension. The pathology is a unique combination of mechanical obstruction due to failure of clot resolution, and a variable degree of microvascular disease, that both contribute to pulmonary vascular resistance. Accordingly, multiple treatments have been developed to target the disease components. However, accurate diagnosis is often delayed. Evaluation includes high-quality imaging modalities, necessary for disease confirmation and for appropriate treatment planning. All patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease, and especially those with pulmonary hypertension, should be referred to expert centres for multidisciplinary team decision on treatment. The first decision remains assessment of operability, and the best improvement in symptoms and survival is achieved by the mechanical therapies, pulmonary endarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty. With the advances in multimodal therapies, excellent outcomes can be achieved with 3-year survival of >90%.

Performance-based outcome measures for assessing physical capacity in patients with pulmonary embolism: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Up to 50 % of patients surviving a pulmonary embolism (PE) report persisting shortness of breath, reduced physical capacity and psychological distress. As the PE population is heterogeneous compared to other cardiovascular patient groups, outcome measures for assessing physical capacity traditionally used in cardiac populations may not be reliable for the PE population as a whole. This scoping review aims to 1) map performance-based outcome measures (PBOMs) used for assessing physical capacity in PE research, and 2) to report the psychometric properties of the identified PBOMs in a PE population.

METHODS

The review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping reviews and reported according to the PRISMA-Extension for Scoping Reviews guideline.

RESULTS

The systematic search of five databases identified 4585 studies, of which 243 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 185 studies focused on a subgroup of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Ten different PBOMs were identified in the included studies. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were the most commonly used, followed by the (Modified) Bruce protocol and Incremental Shuttle Walk test. No studies reported psychometric properties of any of the identified PBOMs in a PE population.

CONCLUSIONS

Publication of studies measuring physical capacity within PE populations has increased significantly over the past 5-10 years. Still, not one study was identified, reporting the validity, reliability, or responsiveness for any of the identified PBOMs in a PE population. This should be a priority for future research in the field.

[Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension]

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare disease, but an important late sequela after acute pulmonary embolism. Therefore, follow-up after at least three months of sufficient anticoagulation is recommended. Patients with suspected CTEPH should be referred to specialized CTEPH centers for further evaluation and treatment.Three treatment modalities are available: pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary hypertension-targeted drugs. The indication for surgery depends mainly on the localization of the pulmonary arterial obstructions. Severe comorbidities as well as advanced age need individual evaluation, but do not present strict exclusion criteria. Multimodal treatments are common practice in inoperable CTEPH. However, treatment decision making in an experienced multidisciplinary team is mandatory.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: realising the potential of multimodal management

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism. Important advances have enabled better understanding, characterisation, and treatment of this condition. Guidelines recommending systematic follow-up after acute pulmonary embolism, and the insight that CTEPH can mimic acute pulmonary embolism on initial presentation, have led to the definition of CTEPH imaging characteristics, the introduction of artificial intelligence diagnosis pathways, and thus the prospect of easier and earlier CTEPH diagnosis. In this Series paper, we show how the understanding of CTEPH as a sequela of inflammatory thrombosis has driven successful multidisciplinary management that integrates surgical, interventional, and medical treatments. We provide imaging examples of classical major vessel targets, describe microvascular targets, define available tools, and depict an algorithm facilitating the initial treatment strategy in people with newly diagnosed CTEPH based on a multidisciplinary team discussion at a CTEPH centre. Further work is needed to optimise the use and combination of multimodal therapeutic options in CTEPH to improve long-term outcomes for patients.

[Surgery of old people-Thoracic surgery]

Background

The incidence of a large number of diseases relevant to thoracic surgery increases with age; however, old age is still frequently considered a contraindication per se for curative interventions and extensive surgical procedures.

Objective

Overview of the current relevant literature, derivation of recommendations for patient selection as well as preoperative, perioperative and postoperative optimization.

Material and methods

Analysis of the current study situation.

Results

Recent data show that for most thoracic diseases, age alone is not a reason to withhold surgical treatment. Much more important for the selection are comorbidities, frailty, malnutrition and cognitive impairment. A lobectomy or segmentectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in carefully selected octogenarians can provide acceptable to even comparably good short-term and long-term results as in younger patients. Selected > 75-year-old patients with stages II-IIIA NSCLC even benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. With appropriate selection high-risk interventions, such as pneumonectomy in > 70-year-old patients and pulmonary endarterectomy in > 80-year-old patients can be performed without an increase in mortality rates. Even lung transplantation can lead to good long-term results in carefully selected > 70-year-old patients. Minimally invasive surgical techniques and nonintubated anesthesia contribute to risk reduction in marginal patients.

Discussion

In thoracic surgery the biological age rather than the chronological age is decisive. In view of the increasingly older population, further studies are urgently needed to optimize patient selection, type of intervention, preoperative planning and postoperative treatment as well as the quality of life.

[Surgery of old people-Thoracic surgery]

BACKGROUND

The incidence of a large number of diseases relevant to thoracic surgery increases with age; however, old age is still frequently considered a contraindication per se for curative interventions and extensive surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE

Overview of the current relevant literature, derivation of recommendations for patient selection as well as preoperative, perioperative and postoperative optimization.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of the current study situation.

RESULTS

Recent data show that for most thoracic diseases, age alone is not a reason to withhold surgical treatment. Much more important for the selection are comorbidities, frailty, malnutrition and cognitive impairment. A lobectomy or segmentectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in carefully selected octogenarians can provide acceptable to even comparably good short-term and long-term results as in younger patients. Selected > 75-year-old patients with stages II-IIIA NSCLC even benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. With appropriate selection high-risk interventions, such as pneumonectomy in > 70-year-old patients and pulmonary endarterectomy in > 80-year-old patients can be performed without an increase in mortality rates. Even lung transplantation can lead to good long-term results in carefully selected > 70-year-old patients. Minimally invasive surgical techniques and nonintubated anesthesia contribute to risk reduction in marginal patients.

DISCUSSION

In thoracic surgery the biological age rather than the chronological age is decisive. In view of the increasingly older population, further studies are urgently needed to optimize patient selection, type of intervention, preoperative planning and postoperative treatment as well as the quality of life.

Long-term Outcomes and Predictors of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension After Pulmonary Endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the preferred treatment for CTEPH patients which can significantly improve symptoms and pulmonary hemodynamics. Therefore, this retrospective study evaluated the long-term outcomes after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and analyze the predictors of long-term outcomes for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

METHODS

From 2002-2020, 76 CTEPH patients successfully discharged after PEA in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital were followed-up by scheduled clinical visits or telephone interviews. The follow-up time lasted for 18 years and median time was 7.29 years.

RESULTS

The survival rate at 1,3,5,10,15 years postoperatively was 100.00%, 97.10%, 95.40%, 89.80% and 82.90%, respectively. Multivariate logistics regression analysis showed that postoperative mPAP (hazard ratio: 1.144; 95%confidence interval: 1.018-1.285; P = 0.023) was associated with a higher risk of late death, right atrium right and left diameters (hazard ratio: 1.113; 95%confidence interval, 1.006-1.231; P = 0.038) were associated with a higher risk of major adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary endarterectomy is an effective way to treat CTEPH. Long-term outcome is excellent for patients who undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy who survived from peri-operation time. Postoperative mPAP is a significant prognostic factor for long-term death and right atrium right and left diameters is a significant prognostic factor for major adverse events. That shows patients with high postoperative mPAP and right atrium right and left diameter should be followed up closely.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty can be an effective and safe therapeutic option in non-surgical elderly patients

Background

Advanced age, frailty, and age-related comorbidities are the major causes of pulmonary endarterectomy disqualification in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an attractive and less invasive therapy for elderly patients. However, information about the safety, procedure tolerance, and effectiveness of BPA in elderly patients is limited.

Objective and methods

We aimed to analyze the safety, tolerance, and efficacy of BPA in CTEPH patients aged ≥70 years. This observational, descriptive, and retrospective series included consecutive patients aged ≥70 years, who underwent completed or interrupted BPA programs at a pulmonary hypertension reference center between May 2013 and May 2022.

Results

We enrolled 155 patients in our institution's BPA program. Among these, 33 patients were aged ≥70 years (mean age, 76.4 years; women, 75.8%) and had finished or interrupted BPA programs. In this cohort, we performed 116 BPA procedures (average, 3.6 ± 1.8 sessions/patient). Among the 33 patients, 19 (57.6%) completed treatment for all lobes, while the BPA program was interrupted in the remaining 14 (42.4%). Among all 33 patients, BPA was associated with a significant reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (39.2 ± 9.3 vs. 32.8 ± 8.8 mmHg; p < 0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance (6.7 ± 3.1 vs. 4.4 ± 2.0 WU; p < 0.001), along with an improvement in the cardiac index (2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.8 ± 0.7 L/min/m²; p = 0.04) with significant reductions in the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide level (pre-BPA, 353 pg/mL [207–1,960 pg/mL] vs. post-BPA, 167 pg/mL [73–629 pg/mL]; p = 0.03). The patients' functional class improved, and pulmonary hypertension-targeting drug requirements were significantly reduced. The pulmonary injury appeared in 3.4% of the 116 procedures, of which 50% were of grade 2. No patient of ≥70 years had grade 5 pulmonary injury. One periprocedural mortality was recorded (3%), and the median follow-up period was 2.8 years. The survival rate of the entire cohort at 1 and 3 years was 90.5 and 82.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

BPA is an effective and safe approach in patients aged ≥70 years. It significantly improves patients' functional class, hemodynamic, and biomarkers, and reduces their pulmonary hypertension-targeting medical therapy requirements. These successes were achieved even though a significant percentage of patients did not complete the therapy. The rates of procedural complications and periprocedural mortality were low. Survival at 1 and 3 years was good in comparison to that of younger patients undergoing BPA.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: An Observational Study

Background and Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has a high mortality. The treatment of CTEPH could be balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), medical (MT) or pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). This study aims to assess the clinical characteristics of CTEPH patients, surgically or medically treated, in a pulmonology referral center. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 patients with PH with suspected CTEPH (53 male subjects and 71 female subjects; mean age at diagnosis 67 ± 6) were asked to give informed consent and then were evaluated. The presence of CTEPH was ascertained by medical evaluations, radiology and laboratory tests. Results: After the evaluation of all clinical data, 65 patients met the inclusion criteria for CTEPH and they were therefore enrolled (22 males and 43 females; mean age at diagnosis was 69 ± 8). 26 CTEPH patients were treated with PEA, 32 with MT and 7 with BPA. There was a statistically significant age difference between the PEA and MT groups, at the time of diagnosis, the PEA patients were younger than the MT patients, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in other clinical characteristics (e.g., smoking habit, thrombophilia predisposition), as well as functional and hemodynamic parameters (e.g., 6-min walk test, right heart catheterization). During three years of follow-up, no patients in the PEA groups died; conversely, eleven patients in the MT group died during the same period (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant decrease in plasma BNP values and an increase in a meter at the six-minute walk test, 1 and 3 years after surgery, were observed in the PEA group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study seems to confirm that pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) can provide an improvement in functional tests in CTEPH.