Dilatation of Bronchial Arteries Correlates With Extent of Central Disease in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Hidefumi Shimizu; Nobuhiro Tanabe; Jiro Terada; Masahisa Masuda; Seiichiro Sakao; Yasunori Kasahara; Yuichi Takiguchi; Koichiro Tatsumi; Takayuki Kuriyama

doi:10.1253/circj.72.1136

Clinical Investigation

Dilatation of Bronchial Arteries Correlates With Extent of Central Disease in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Hidefumi Shimizu, Nobuhiro Tanabe, Jiro Terada, Masahisa Masuda, Seiichiro Sakao, Yasunori Kasahara, Yuichi Takiguchi, Koichiro Tatsumi, Takayuki Kuriyama

Author information

Hidefumi Shimizu
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
Nobuhiro Tanabe
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
Jiro Terada
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
Masahisa Masuda
National Hospital Organization, Chiba Medical Center
Seiichiro Sakao
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
Yasunori Kasahara
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
Yuichi Takiguchi
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
Koichiro Tatsumi
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
Takayuki Kuriyama
Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University

Keywords: Bronchial artery, Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, Pulmonary circulation, Pulmonary embolism

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2008 Volume 72 Issue 7 Pages 1136-1141

DOI https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.72.1136

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Abstract

Background Dilatation of the bronchial arteries is a well-recognized feature in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The purpose of the current study was to use computed tomography (CT) to assess the relationship between dilated bronchial arteries and the extent of thrombi, and to evaluate the predictive value of the former for surgical outcome. Methods and Results Fifty-nine patients with CTEPH and 16 with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were retrospectively evaluated. The total cross-sectional area of bronchial arteries was measured by CT and its relationship with the central extent of thrombi or surgical outcome was assessed. The total area of the bronchial arteries in CTEPH patients was significantly larger than that in PAH patients (median [range], 6.9 [1.7-29.5] mm² vs 3.2 [0.8-9.4] mm²), with the total area of bronchial arteries correlating with the central extent of thrombi. In patients who had undergone pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) (n=22), the change in PaO₂ after surgery had a tendency to correlate with the total area of the bronchial arteries. Conclusion The total cross-sectional area of the bronchial arteries correlated with the extent of central disease in patients with CTEPH, and it might predict gas exchange improvement after PTE. (Circ J 2008; 72: 1136 - 1141)

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