The only curative treatment currently available for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is surgical pulmonary endoarterectomy (PEA). However, several patients may have high risk factors for surgery, or a peripheral disease not amenable to surgical treatment; or else a residual pulmonary hypertension after PEA. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) was recently developed to offer an alternative treatment for these patients. Extensive data has since confirmed the efficacy and relative safety of this procedure. However, there are several technical issues that have yet to be resolved. In addition, many cardiologists and pneumologists still know very little about the procedure itself and its potential.
Exploring the clinical indications and technical aspects of BPA, this book offers a valuable reference guide for all those who would like to introduce or improve a BPA program, and for all those whose work involves treating this complex patient population.