Raising the bar to ultradisciplinary collaborations in management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is an underdiagnosed and potentially fatal subgroup of pulmonary hypertension, if left untreated. Clinical signs include exertional dyspnea and non-specific symptoms. Diagnosis requires multimodality imaging and heart catheterization. Pulmonary endarterectomy, an open heart surgery, is the gold standard treatment of choice in selected patients in specialized centers. Targeted medical therapy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty can be effective in high-risk patients with significant comorbidities, distal pulmonary vascular obstructions, or recurrent/persistent pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy. Currently, there is a limited number of data regarding novel coronavirus-2019 infection in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and the changing spectrum of the disease during the pandemic. Challenging times during this outbreak due to healthcare crisis and relatively higher case-fatality rates require convergence; that is an ultradisciplinary collaboration, which crosses disciplinary and sectorial boundaries to develop integrated knowledge and new paradigms. Management strategies for the "new normal" such as virtual care, preparedness for further threats, redesigned standards and working conditions, reevaluation of specific recommendations, and online collaborations for optimal decisions for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients may change the poor outcomes.

A 19-Year-Old-Woman With Backache, Hemoptysis, and Hypereosinophilia

CASE PRESENTATION

A 19-year-old woman presented to our ED with complaints of backache and massive hemoptysis. Her medical history included acute dyspnea that developed within hours caused by angioneurotic edema 6 months earlier. Two days later, she was given thrombolytic treatment because of massive pulmonary thromboembolism. She had been given methylprednisolone 4 mg and tinzaparin sodium 0.7 mL subcutaneously and was still under treatment on the current admission. She had no history of smoking, alcohol, or oral contraceptive use, surgery, trauma, recent travel, clotting disorders, or familial diseases.

A huge right ventricular hydatid cyst related to tricuspid valve causing severe pulmonary hypertension

Preserving tricuspid valve's function is the cornerstone in surgical excision of cardiac hydatid cysts present in the right side of the heart. The perfect surgical technique may not exist. However, further studies are needed to ensure the clear path.

Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism due to intracardiac and pulmonary hydatidosis

Hydatid disease remains a problem in endemic areas. The combination of both intracardiac and pulmonary hydatid disease in association with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism is a rare presentation. We report a case of a 14-year-old girl with hydatid disease of the lungs, right ventricle, and pulmonary arteries, presenting as chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. She underwent surgery for wedge resection of the pulmonary hydatid in the right lower lobe, removal of the right ventricular hydatid (under cardiopulmonary bypass), and pulmonary endarterectomy (under total circulatory arrest). Her postoperative recovery was uneventful.

An Unusual Cause of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Hydatid Cyst

Hydatid cyst is an important health problem throughout the world, and it is caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus. Although it is most commonly located in the liver and lungs, hydatid cyst can also affect other organs because the oncospheres spread through the bloodstream. The disease may have many different clinical presentations. Although it is a benign disease, sometimes it can cause serious morbidity and even mortality. Here, the case of a 33-year-old male patient who underwent surgery for a right ventricle and bilateral lung hydatid cyst 9 years ago and had pulmonary hypertension is presented.