Korea’s Highest Number of Hybrid Treatment Cases for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
The Pulmonary Hypertension Center announced that it had achieved 300 cases in June this year after Korea’s first successful percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty (balloon pulmonary angioplasty) for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in 2015. Additionally, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy has been performed in 100 cases since the opening of this hospital. These treatment results are the highest among Korean medical institutions.
Chronic pulmonary embolism refers to a condition in which pulmonary thrombus accumulates in the pulmonary blood vessels for a long period of time and hardens to the point where it is no longer soluble with drugs, resulting in increased pulmonary arterial pressure. If left untreated, it can lead to right ventricular failure and even death.
Early detection and treatment are most important for severe pulmonary vascular disease, but diagnosis is difficult as it is rare, with only 30-50 per 100,000 population. Before Korea had adapted the new treatment (percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty, in which a thin tube is pushed through the lower extremity vein to widen the narrowed pulmonary blood vessels using a vascular balloon) in 2015, surgery was the only method along with numerous limitations.
Professor Chang, Sung A, head of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center, stated, "I am delighted to be able to provide practical help to patients by taking the lead in the treatment of thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which has developed rapidly over the past decade." and continued, “We will spare no effort in continuous research and efforts.”