Improved ventilatory efficiency to evidence haemodynamic improvement after balloon pulmonary angioplasty in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive pulmonary vascular disease that results from the association of occlusion of large pulmonary arteries by persistent thrombi and of distal small-vessel vasculopathy, leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) [1]. Heightened PVR contributes to limit cardiac output during exercise, resulting in a decreased capacity for aerobic exercise [2]. In selected CTEPH patients, balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has recently become a recognized therapeutic option that aims at decreasing PVR, allowing improvements of symptoms, exercise tolerance, exercise capacity and survival [3, 4]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Madoun has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Piliero has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Guillien has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Salvat has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Thony has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Finas has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Augier has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Bouvaist has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Degano has nothing to disclose.