Prevalence of Coronary Artery to Pulmonary Artery Collaterals in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Retrospective Analysis From a Single Center

Kepez and colleagues retrospectively evaluated the incidence of coronary artery-pulmonary artery collaterals in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Of 83 patients with CTEPH who underwent coronary angiography prior to pulmonary endarterectomy, collaterals were found definitively in 15 patients (18.1%) and were probable in an additional 4 patients (4.8 %). The presence of coronary artery-pulmonary artery collaterals was associated with higher pulmonary artery pressure, higher pulmonary vascular resistance, and a greater reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance following surgery.