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.

<p> 1 Epidemiology and pathophysiology of CTEPH

2 Diagnosis of CTEPH
3 Pulmonary Thromboendoaterectomy: the only cure for CTEPH
4 Medical treatment of CTEPH
5 Development of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in CTEPH: an historical perspective
6 Balloon pulmonary angioplasty in CTEPH: modern technique
7 Balloon pulmonary angioplasty: clinical outcomes
8 Lesion classification in CTEPH with an interventional perspective
9 Advanced non-invasive imaging to guide BPA
10 Use of intravascular imaging and pressure guide during BPA
11 Balloon pulmonary angioplasty in proximal lesions
12 Metrics for success of balloon pulmonary angioplasty in CTEPH
13 Management of complications during balloon pulmonary angioplasty in CTEPH
14 BPA in CTEPH: next steps?
15 CTEPH and chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED): clinical and interventional perspective.</p>