Alejandro Narváez, Departamento Medicina Interna, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Juan J. Hurtado-Guerra, Servicio Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Rionegro, Colombia
Daniela Orozco, Departamento de Cardiología, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
Emilio Herrera, Servicio Cardiología, Clínica de Medellín de Occidente, Medellín, Colombia
Laura Duque, Departamento de Cardiología, Universidad CES, Medellín;; Servicio Cardiología, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Rionegro. Colombia
Venous thromboembolic disease is the third most common cardiovascular syndrome, just preceded by acute coronary syndrome and stroke. The estimated annual incidence rate of pulmonary embolism ranges from 39 to 115 per 100.000 population, with a mortality rate of 300.000 per year in the United States. After the acute event, there can be thrombus and therapy associated complications, including chronic dyspnea and bleeding. The thrombus associated complications are chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, chronic thromboembolic disease, and post-pulmonary embolism deconditioning, which despite a shared pathophysiology have different diagnostic approach, treatment, and prognosis. In this article we review the most relevant information about diagnosis and treatment of those diseases, with focus on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Keywords: Venous thrombosis. Pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary embolism.