Percutaneous Balloon Angioplasty Research Articles

Clinical efficacy of endovascular revascularization combined with vacuum-assisted closure for the treatment of diabetic foot.

The diabetic foot is a common cause of disability and death, and comorbid foot infections usually lead to prolonged hospitalization, high healthcare costs, and a significant increase in amputation rates. And most diabetic foot trauma is complicated by lower extremity arteriopathy, which becomes an independent risk factor for major amputation in diabetic foot patients. To establish the efficacy and safety of endovascular revascularization (ER) combined with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) for the treatment of diabetic foot. Clinical data were collected from 40 patients with diabetic foot admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from April 2018 to April 2022. Diabetic foot lesions were graded according to Wagner's classification, and blood flow to the lower extremity was evaluated using the ankle-brachial index test and computerized tomography angiography of the lower extremity arteries. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pumps were used to achieve glycemic control. Lower limb revascularization was facilitated by percutaneous tran-sluminal balloon angioplasty (BA) or stenting. Wounds were cleaned by nibbling debridement. Wound granulation tissue growth was induced by VAC, and wound repair was performed by skin grafting or skin flap transplantation. Of the 35 cases treated with lower limb revascularization, 34 were successful with a revascularization success rate of 97%. Of these, 6 cases underwent stenting after BA of the superficial femoral artery, and 1 received popliteal artery stent implantation. In the 25 cases treated with infrapopliteal artery revascularization, 39 arteries were reconstructed, 7 of which were treated by drug-coated BA and the remaining 32 with plain old BA. VAC was performed in 32 wounds. Twenty-four cases of skin grafting and 2 cases of skin flap transplantation were performed. Two patients underwent major amputations, whereas 17 had minor amputations, accounting for a success limb salvage rate of 95%. ER in combination with VAC is a safe and effective treatment for diabetic foot that can significantly improve limb salvage rates. The use of VAC after ER simplifies and facilitates wound repair.

Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment for Salvaging Failed Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula – Role of Balloon Angioplasty as Initial Therapy

Background: This study aims to evaluate the technical and clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment for failed native hemodialysis fistulas, mainly the role of balloon angioplasty in salvaging thrombosed and stenosed arteriovenous fistulas. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was done on 23 patients who had presented with non-functioning dialysis fistulas. The mean age of the patients was 58.7 ± 2.3 years. The cause of failure was thrombosis in 14 cases (61%) and stenosis in 9 cases (39%). All patients initially underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), followed by thromboaspiration depending on the thrombus load and extent. Results: A total of 27 salvage procedures were performed on 23 patients. Technical success was achieved in 24 procedures (88.8%), and clinical success was 81.5%. Patients were followed up for mean duration of 9.5 months (range: 1–19 months). Eight out of 23 accesses initially revised failed again due to repeat thrombosis, of which four patients underwent repeat procedures. The mean duration to re-intervention was 5.5 ± 1.3 months. The primary patency rates were 79% at 3 months and 60% at 6, 12, and 18 months. The cumulative (secondary) patency rates were 73% at 6 months and 66% at 12 and 18 months. Minor complications were seen in three procedures (11%), which included venous extravasation in two cases and prolonged bleeding from puncture site in one case. Conclusion: Percutaneous balloon angioplasty can be used as first-line procedure in failed hemodialysis fistulas, in both cases of stenosis and/or thrombosis, followed by thromboaspiration if required.

Comparison of Outcomes for the Percutaneous Atherectomy Versus Balloon Angioplasty and/or Stenting in the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Disease: Based on the KSVS DAMOEUM Registry

Comparison of Outcomes for the Percutaneous Atherectomy Versus Balloon Angioplasty and/or Stenting in the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Disease: Based on the KSVS DAMOEUM Registry

Drug-Coated Balloon and Percutaneous Old Balloon Angioplasty for Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Graft Outlet Stenosis: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Study

Drug-Coated Balloon and Percutaneous Old Balloon Angioplasty for Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Graft Outlet Stenosis: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Study

Gender, racial and ethnic disparities in acute coronary syndromes with coronary in-stent restenosis

BackgroundCoronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) is a major clinical challenge of contemporary percutaneous revascularization and portends adverse cardiovascular outcomes. ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate gender, race, and ethnicity related outcomes in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with ISR. MethodsPrimary hospitalizations for ACS and ISR in the National Inpatient Sample database from 2016 to 2019 were included. Patients were stratified by gender, race, and ethnicity. The primary end points were all cause in-hospital mortality and coronary revascularization defined as composite of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), balloon angioplasty and/or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). ResultsDuring the study period, a nationally weighted total of 97,680 patients with ACS and ISR were included. There was substantial variation in comorbidities, with greatest burden among Black and Hispanic women. All-cause in-hospital mortality was 2.4 % in the study cohort, but significantly higher in women (2.1 % vs. 2.1 %; aOR: 1.282, 95 % CI: 1.174–1.4; p < 0.001) and revascularization rates were significantly lower in women (77 % vs 80.2 %; aOR: 0.891, 95 % CI: 0.862–0.921; p < 0.001). Compared to White men, all women except Hispanic women, had significantly higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality, while White women, Black men and women, and Hispanic men had lower odds of revascularization. ConclusionsThere are significant gender, racial, and ethnic related differences in revascularization practices and clinical outcomes in patients with ACS and ISR with an adverse impact on women, racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S.

Continuous heart monitoring to evaluate treatment effects in pulmonary hypertension

BackgroundThe treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has improved rapidly in recent decades. There is increasing evidence to support the role of early intervention and treatment in affecting clinical outcomes in...

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) and Stent Implantation in Hemodialysis Patients with Central Venous Stenosis:A Study of Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Central venous stenosis and occlusion are serious complications that can arise from central venous catheterization in hemodialysis patients, leading to significant difficulties in the dialysis process. Common clinical manifestations include swelling in the arm or neck on the affected side and compromised hemodialysis access. To address this issue, percutaneous balloon angioplasty and stent implantation have emerged as potential solutions to maintain vein patency. However, there is a need to evaluate the efficacy of these interventions over an extended period to determine their long-term benefits. This study aimed to monitor the patency status periodically, starting at 1st Month, followed by assessments at 3rd Month, 6th Month, and finally, the 12th Month. METHODS: This single-center observational study focused on endovascular interventions performed on hemodialysis patients with central venous stenosis or occlusion.Participants included end-stage renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis who exhibited clinical signs of central venous stenosis or occlusion. Data were collected from 60 patients, consisting of 42 males (70%) and 18 females (30%), with an average age of 46.19±13.21 years. The affected sites of central vein stenosis or occlusion were distributed as follows: 13 cases in the innominate veins, 25 cases in the superior vena cava, 18 cases in the brachiocephalic vein, and 10 cases in the subclavian vein. Some patients had multiple site occlusions, while others experienced occlusion of AV fistula. RESULTS: Of the 60 endovascular procedures performed, only one case did not achieve technical success, resulting in an overall success rate of 96.4%. Stent implantation was carried out in only four patients. No significant procedure-related complications were encountered, and all patients were able to undergo hemodialysis after the initial intervention. The primary patency rates for PTA at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 96%, 92%, 88%, and 86%, respectively. As for stent implantation, the primary patency rates at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 100%, 98%, 98%, and 98%, respectively. Assisted primary patency rates for PTA at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 2%, 6%, 11%, and 14%, respectively. During the 12-month follow-up, 10 reinterventions were performed, with three patients requiring more than two reinterventions. CONCLUSION: The study's findings demonstrate that endovascular interventions, such as percutaneous balloon angioplasty and stent implantation, are highly effective in managing central venous stenosis or occlusion in hemodialysis patients. These interventions showed a remarkable success rate and a minimal occurrence of procedure-related complications. Particularly, stent implantation consistently exhibited 100% primary patency at all evaluated time points. While the assisted primary patency rates for PTA were relatively lower, the overall need for reinterventions remained low, emphasizing the long-term benefits of these procedures. Based on these promising results, endovascular interventions can be considered as a viable and efficient option for the management of central venous stenosis or occlusion in hemodialysis patients, offering improved hemodialysis access and ensuring enhanced patient outcomes.

Renal artery stenosis presenting as congenital nephrotic syndrome with hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome in a 2-month-old infant: a case report

Here, we present the case of a 2-month-old male infant with hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome resulting from stenosis of the right proximal and mid-renal arteries. The patient exhibited nephrotic-range proteinuria, low serum albumin, increased serum creatinine, and elevated renin and aldosterone levels. Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography angiography revealed decreased vascular flow in the small right renal artery. Following a successful percutaneous balloon angioplasty, the patient experienced a decrease in blood pressure and normalization of serum electrolyte levels within a few days. However, it took 3 months for the proteinuria to resolve completely. This case is significant as it represents the first reported instance of a neonate presenting with clinical features resembling congenital nephrotic syndrome caused by renal artery stenosis that was successfully treated with percutaneous renal angioplasty.

A Bayesian network meta-analysis for acute thrombosis after lower extremity artery endovascular treatment.

Various endovascular treatment devices have been widely used in the lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). Their patency efficiency for target lesions has been well studied and reported. Comparison of the risk of acute thrombosis events between the different endovascular treatment devices is unclear. To rank the risk of acute thrombosis events when bare metal stents (BMSs), covered stents (CSs), drug-eluting stents (DESs), drug-coated balloons (DCBs), and conventional percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) are used to treat LEAD through Bayesian network meta-analysis. We performed a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the risk of 1-year postoperative acute thrombosis between BMSs, CSs, DESs, DCBs, and PTA for treating LEAD. Bayesian random models were used for pooled endovascular treatment modality comparisons. We ranked these treatment modalities via the Bayesian method according to their surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) and estimated probabilities. Nineteen studies (38 study arms; 2758 patients) were included. The Bayesian network ranking of treatments indicated that DCB had the lowest risk of acute thrombosis, PTA had the second-lowest risk of thrombosis, and CS, BMS, and DES had the highest risk of thrombosis. Regarding the treatment efficacy, the OR values of the loss of primary patency were significantly lower for DCB (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.30-0.62), DES (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.94), and CS (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.18,0.56) than for PTA. When BMS was used as a reference, only the OR for CS was significantly lower (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.21-0.82). Correspondingly, the Bayesian ranking of treatments from better to worse target lesion primary patency was CS, DES, DCB, BMS, and PTA. With the available research evidence and according to the network analysis ranking, DES appears to have the highest risk of acute thrombosis and DCB appears to have the lowest risk.

Perioperative intravenous Iloprost therapy in addition to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty improves patency for peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare whether perioperative additional intravenous (IV) Iloprost therapy to percutaneous balloon angioplasty for peripheral arterial occlusive disease improves patency and reintervention.Methods: Between January 2018 and August 2020, 183 patients underwent Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with Drug-Eluting Balloons (DEB) for femoropopliteal lesions (TASC 2 A-C) due to claudication, and 161 patients (133 male, 28 female, mean age 63.65 ± 11.16years, range 30-86years) were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups as DEB+ Intravenous Iloprost administration and DEB alone. Primary patency, reintervention, bailout stenting, and survival rates were analyzed in this retrospective study.Results: Primary patency rate at 12months (79 vs 57 patients, 89.7 vs 78%, p = 0.041) and assisted primary patency rate (81 vs 59 patients, 92 vs 80.8%, p = 0.035) were found to be higher and Bailout stent deployment was lower in DEB + Iloprost group (3 vs 9 patients, 3.4 vs 12.3% p = 0.031). The reinterventions rate at 12months was also lower among the DEB + Iloprost group (9 vs 16 patients, 10.2 vs 21.9%, p = 0.041).Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that primary patency at 12months and assisted primary patency rates, freedom from reintervention was significantly higher and bailout stenting was found to be significantly lower. We believe that perioperative Intravenous Iloprost therapy is beneficial for PTA and improves outcomes.

Challenges in Managing Acute ST Myocardial Infarction in Community Heart Hospital

Background:The financial issue can cause pre-hospital delay, choosing reperfu-sion therapy and delay in door to balloon or door to needle time during early management of STMI. The objective of this research is to study the in-hospital cost for STMI patients in community hospital. Methods: This cross sectional observational study was done for two years from September 2019 to August 2021. Total in hospital host (in Nepalese rupees) dur-ing managing STMI was calculated. Results: The mean in-hospital cost of managing STMI (intervention or medical management) was 78,585±71167. For Intervention the total mean cost was 1,73,884±137551 of which PPCI with one stent 1,80,972±25547 and Percutane-ous old balloon angioplasty (POBA) 1,37,551 ±34824. For medical manage-ment, the total mean cost was 32,001 ±19442 of which thrombolysis 36069±24188 while conservative management was 31488±18765. Conclusion: The in hospital cost was more for intervention management com-pared to medical therapy. The mortality was more for the medical therapy com-pared to intervention. Cost of life saving procedures like reperfusion therapy in STMI need to be make more affordable. Patient education for early use of nearby available cardiac facilities including Cath lab need to be promoted.

Immediate and long-term results of the use of balloon angioplasty with stenting in the treatment of renal graft arterial stenosis

Aim. To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty with stenting for renal graft artery stenosis. Material and methods. From June 2018 to December 2022, 344 kidney transplants from a deceased donor were performed at the surgical clinic of City Clinical Hospital n.a. S.P. Botkin. The study group consisted of 220 men (63.9%) and 124 women (36.1%). The mean age was 46.46±11.74 (19–73) years. With a mean follow-up period of 20.05 (1-54) months, stenosis of the renal graft artery was diagnosed in 4 patients (1.16%). The mean time from transplantation to the diagnosis of stenosis was 4 (1–9) months. In addition, we diagnosed the development of this complication in 4 kidney transplant recipients operated in other centers. The mean time from transplantation to the diagnosis of stenosis in these patients was 103.25 (12–221) months. Thus, we have the experience in the treatment of renal transplant arterial strictures in 8 recipients: 4 men (50%) and 4 women (50%). The mean age was 48.25±11.97 (27–60) years. Stenosis was manifested by renal graft dysfunction with a progressive increase in urea and creatinine in 6 patients (75%), by arterial hypertension in 2 patients (25%). The mean, level of creatinine at the time of diagnosing stenosis was 290.75 (157–494) µmol/L, glomerular filtration rate was 22.87±12.19 (8–41) ml/min/1.73m2 . Results. In the early postoperative period, 1 complication was recorded in the form of pulsating hematoma of the common femoral artery, which required surgical intervention (complication class IIIA according to Clavien-Dindo). The mean hospital postoperative bed-days made 5.22 (4-8). The mean follow-up time was 22.75±7.4 (14–33) months. All recipients were alive throughout the whole follow-up period. In 7 of 8 recipients (87.5%), the graft was functioning, in 1 patient a progressive graft dysfunction was noted, for which chronic hemodialysis was started. Mean creatinine in recipients with a functioning graft was 156.71±33.4 (123–200) µmol/L; mean glomerular filtration rate was 41.57 ml/min/1.73m2 . Conclusions. Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty with stenting is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique and should be considered as the operation of choice in the development of renal graft artery stenosis.

Contrast Venography Versus Intravenous Ultrasound in Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Access Dysfunction

Contrast Venography Versus Intravenous Ultrasound in Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Access Dysfunction

EE437 Economic Value of Covered Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE) Stent Grafts Compared to Percutaneous Balloon Angioplasty for Treating Thrombosed and Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Grafts in Hemodialysis Patients in Germany

Hemodialysis patients with an arteriovenous graft (AVG) implant can experience AVG stenosis and thrombosis which require further procedural revision to maintain an open circuit for hemodialysis. This analysis aims to establish the economic value of revising an AVG with a covered stent graft compared to percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA) using clinical and resource use data from the Gore REVISE Clinical Study along with cost data specific to German treatment setting.

P96: Using Fenestrated Stent to Increase the Flow of ECMO of Superior Vena Cava Compression Syndrome

Introduction: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is an obstruction of the venous return to the heart through SVC or any other significant branches. The obstruction may be external, like thoracic mass compressing the SVC, or internal, like thrombosis or tumor, which directly invades the SVC. Patients experiencing a medical emergency after being initially stabilized require treatment for SVCS, including endovenous recanalization and the implantation of an SVC stent to reduce the risk of abrupt respiratory arrest and death. This case report details a situation in which reduced outflow in a VA ECMO would substantially improve by using a fenestrated stent of SVC. Case Presentation: A 54-year-old female presented to our medical center with weight loss and solid food dysphagia for three months. Chest CT scan showed a new mediastinal mass of 10x9x8cm with minor pericardial and pleural effusions. A transbronchial biopsy was attempted; however, the patient arrested during the bronchoscopy procedure. CPR was initiated, and the ECMO team was contacted for VA ECMO cannulation, which was done through the right femoral artery cannula size 15 Fr due to the narrowing of the artery, and the left femoral vein cannula size 23 Fr. ROSC was achieved, and the patient was transferred to the ICU. During the night shift, the ECMO flow was hard to maintain with fluids. First, that was due to the small arterial cannula. However, the issue was realized with the ECMO outflow volume issue. The next day, In the hybrid operating room, a fenestrated SVC stent was placed in SVC, brachiocephalic, and internal jugular veins (Figure 1). All patient hemodynamics improved post stenting, including ECMO, flows, especially outflow. Discussion: Endovenous treatment of SVC syndrome includes percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA), stenting, and thrombolysis performed alone or in combination. Stenting is usually in the SVC rather than several locations for SVC syndrome. However, our case is unique as the primary fenestrated stent was deployed in the SVC, and additionally, brachiocephalic and IJ veins were stented through the fenestration, which relieved the SVCS. In addition, it enhanced ECMO outflow flow instantly. Conclusion: This case illustrates that stenting in SVCS is a valid therapeutic option to increase ECMO flow in this patient group.Figure 1. Image A: Fluoroscopy showing SVC stenosis. Image B: redacted view of SVC fluoroscopy Image C: Balloon angioplasty of SVC stenosis under fluoroscopy. Image D: Fenestrated stent placement in the SVC under fluoroscopy. Image E: Stent deployed Internal jugular Image F: Post stenting image showing deployed brachiocephalic Internal jugular vein through fenestrations of primary stent.

Therapies for Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is one of the most important complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Despite lack of prospective evidence, medical rescue interventions for DCI include hemodynamic augmentation using vasopressors or inotropes, with limited guidance on specific blood pressure and hemodynamic parameters. For DCI refractory to medical interventions, endovascular rescue therapies (ERTs), including intraarterial (IA) vasodilators and percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty, are the cornerstone of management. Although there are no randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of ERTs for DCI and their impact on subarachnoid hemorrhage outcomes, survey studies suggest that they are widely used in clinical practice with significant variability worldwide. IA vasodilators are first line ERTs, with better safety profiles and access to distal vasculature. The most commonly used IA vasodilators include calcium channel blockers, with milrinone gaining popularity in more recent publications. Balloon angioplasty achieves better vasodilation compared with IA vasodilators but is associated with higher risk of life-threatening vascular complications and is reserved for proximal severe refractory vasospasm. The existing literature on DCI rescue therapies is limited by small sample sizes, significant variability in patient populations, lack of standardized methodology, variable definitions of DCI, poorly reported outcomes, lack of long-term functional, cognitive, and patient-centered outcomes, and lack of control groups. Therefore, our current ability to interpret clinical results and make reliable recommendations regarding the use of rescue therapies is limited. This review summarizes existing literature on rescue therapies for DCI, provides practical guidance, and identifies future research needs.

Markers of Restenosis after Percutaneous Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

Among cardiovascular diseases, chronic obliterating lesions of the arteries of lower extremities, which are one of the important problems of modern healthcare, are distinguished. In most cases, the cause of damage to the arteries of lower extremities is atherosclerosis. The most severe form is chronic ischemia, characterized by pain at rest and ischemic ulcers, ultimately increasing the risk of limb loss and cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, patients with critical limb ischemia need limb revascularization. Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty is one of the least invasive and safe approaches, with advantages for patients with comorbidities. However, after this procedure, restenosis is still possible. Early detection of changes in the composition of some molecules as markers of restenosis will help screen patients at the risk of restenosis, as well as find ways to apply efforts for further directions of inhibition of this process. The purpose of this review is to provide the most important and up-to-date information on the mechanisms of restenosis development, as well as possible predictors of their occurrence. The information collected in this publication may be useful in predicting outcomes after surgical treatment and will also find new ways for the target implication to the mechanisms of development of restenosis and atherosclerosis.

Serum Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Intervention for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a significant role in the development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The purpose of this study was to measure and document the profile of plasma-circulating MMPs in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing endovascular revascularization. This was a single-center prospective observational study with 80 patients with PAD enrolled. They underwent percutaneous balloon angioplasty and/or angioplasty with stent. Exclusion criteria were acute limb ischemia, active inflammation, wet gangrene, liver disease, end-stage renal failure, and cancer. Patients that underwent open or hybrid (open and endovascular) approach were also excluded from the study. Venous blood samples were taken preoperatively, 24hr, and 6months postoperatively. The values of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, and their inhibitors (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases [TIMP]), TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were measured. The mean age was 67.1years, and 66 of them (82.5%) were male. During the clinical follow-up (mean 35.8% months), 12 patients died (16.4%), 15 (20.5%) of them had a major adverse limb event (MALE), and 14 (19.2%) of them had a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE). There was a statistically significant rise in the values of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-7 at 6months postoperatively, when compared to the preoperative and 24hr postoperative values. There was no correlation of MMP and TIMP values with mortality, MALE, and MACE events. The present single-center prospective study documented increased circulating levels of MMPs postoperatively in PAD patients undergoing endovascular treatment. Vascular trauma caused by angioplasty could trigger the expression of MMPs and TIMPs, but the absence of any association with clinical complications requires further investigation.

A case of early reperfusion of celiac artery for type A acute aortic dissection with malperfusion

Malperfusion of the celiac artery alone, with acute aortic dissection, rarely requires early intervention. A 57-year-old woman had thrombosed type A acute aortic dissection with celiac malperfusion, for which total arch replacement was performed after percutaneous balloon angioplasty of the celiac artery. The endovascular treatment minimized extensive hepatic infarction, which saved the patient's life.

Progress in the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism and chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension/disease.

The combination of an initial clinical approach aimed at evaluating the early risk of mortality with subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic approaches articulated on the overall patient's profile is recommended in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The presence of pulmonary hypertension associated with the persistence of chronic vascular obstructions in the pulmonary arteries after one or more acute thrombo-embolic events identifies a condition defined as chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The evolution of technology and knowledge in the field of imaging has allowed us to qualify the computed tomography angiography of the pulmonary arteries as the gold standard for the diagnostic confirmation of both acute PE and CTEPH. In both these conditions, the first therapeutic step is the immediate initiation of anticoagulant therapy. In acute high-risk PE, in addition to anticoagulant therapy, thrombolytic therapy is recommended; in the event of contraindications to thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy or percutaneous catheter-directed treatment represents viable treatment options. In CTEPH, the combination of data collected from cardiac catheterization, computed tomography angiography, and conventional angiography of pulmonary arteries allows a team of experts to identify candidates for pulmonary endarterectomy surgery. Inoperable patients should be considered for percutaneous balloon angioplasty of the pulmonary arteries which can improve patients' symptoms, quality of life, and prognosis.