The Right Heart in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is an uncommon complication of pulmonary embolism that results from mechanical obstruction of proximal pulmonary vessels by non-resolving thromboemboli and distal arteriopahty due to non-occluded area overperfusion. Increased right ventricular (RV) afterload challenges the RV and leads to changes in its morphology and function: RV hypertrophy is followed by tricuspid regurgitation, dilatation and left-ward bowing of the interventricular septum. Sustained pressure overload results in RV failure and death.