Frontline of CTEPH Practice in Japan in 2016

A decision on indication for surgical treatment (PEA pulmonary endarterectomy) had long been a major role in cardiologists until an advent of pulmonary angioplasty in addition to prescription of the pulmonary vasodilators. Because pulmonary angioplasty has now become effective in improving symptoms and prognosis and safe in terms of mortality and morbidity after much experience and innovation, and has been less invasive compared to the surgery in the beginning, it is now a first choice of treatment when the stenotic lesions exist at the periphery of pulmonary arteries. These strategic changes in CTEPH treatment also have changed the diagnostic methods and tool such as use of IVUS (intravascular ultrasound), measurement of peripheral pressure with pressure wire, OCT (optical coherence tomography) and so on in order to perform angioplasty more efficiently and safely. This symposium focuses on recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of CTEPH in the new era with catheter intervention.