Risk factors detection in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a tool for risk quantification?

BACKGROUND: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by chronic thromboembolic obstruction in the pulmonary bed. The definitive pathogenesis remains incompletely explained, although multiple risk factors of CTEPH have been identified. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the risk profile of patients with CTEPH and the representativeness of risk factors, identify possible new CTEPH risk factors and specify the epidemiology of CTEPH in our country. METHODS: In 81 patients with CTEPH, well known risk factors were analyzed, and a detailed analysis of selected hematological parameters was investigated at a specialized hematology laboratory. RESULTS: CTEPH risk factors were identified as follows: pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), thyreopathy, blood type other than "0", inflammatory bowel disease, malignancy, splenectomy, pacemaker. When compared to healthy controls, the following was observed: a significant decrease in platelet count, higher mean platelet volume, higher spontaneous platelet aggregation, increase in von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen. The median of risk factors representativeness was 3 (PE, DVT, blood type other than "0"). The prevalence of CTEPH in adult population in our country is estimated to be 1.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: In the study we confirmed multiple established risk factors of CTEPH, set their representativeness, identified some platelet abnormalities which could be a potential new risk marker and specified the prevalence of CTEPH (Tab. 5, Ref. 35).