Echo-Doppler Predictors of Residual Pulmonary Hypertension After Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy

<b>Background:</b> Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) remains the preferred treatment for surgical accessible thrombus in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, residual pulmonary hypertension (PH) can persist post-PTE. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective single-center analysis of patients that underwent PTE between 2013 and 2023. At 3-month follow-up, we performed a qualitative Echo-Doppler (DE) assessment and applied a semi-quantitative DE scoring system (DESS), assigning point values for six DE parameters: right ventricle (RV) size, RV shape (systolic base-apex ratio), RV function, septal position, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and RV outflow tract notching (RVOTN). Higher scores suggested a more significant residual PH syndrome. <b>Results:</b> A total of 188 subjects (80%) did not require further PH intervention at ≥3 months (Group A); 48 (20%) required ongoing PH treatment (Group B). The pre-PTE median DESS was 10 and the post-PTE median DESS was 3.00 (range 0-16). The maximum DESS was 17. Using ROC analysis, post-PTE DESS strongly discriminated between Group A and B (AUC 0.76; 95% CI 0.65-0.89; <i>p</i> < 0.001). A post-PTE DESS of >6.5 differentiated Group A and B. Evidence of TR (OR 0.191, CI 0.103-0.279; <i>p</i> < 0.0001) and RV enlargement (OR 0.242; CI 0.153-0.330; <i>p</i> < 0.0001) at follow-up was associated with a need for additional PH interventions. <b>Conclusions:</b> Serial DE examination is a viable, noninvasive method to assess significant residual PH post-PTE.