Imaging in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: review of the current literature

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• Effect Size: Not applicable (narrative review)

• Primary Outcome: Imaging features and diagnostic approaches for CTEPH identification

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Diagnostic accuracy metrics not systematically reported

• Confidence Interval: Not provided

Clinical Application

High - imaging modalities discussed are widely available in tertiary centres Highly relevant to Australian practice. CTEPH imaging is supported through Medicare for appropriate indications. Aligns with TSANZ guidelines for pulmonary hypertension assessment. Tertiary centres with pulmonary hypertension programs would benefit from standardised imaging approaches Patients with suspected or confirmed CTEPH requiring imaging assessment

Abstract

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a severe, life-threatening complication of pulmonary embolism with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The combination of insufficient resolution of thrombi following pulmonary emboli and accompanying microvascular disease results in PH. Advances in imaging can offer better insight into CTEPH diagnosis and management, but lack of disease awareness among radiologists has been shown to be a cause of CTEPH misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. This review highlights features pertinent to CTEPH diagnosis. The primary focus is on different modalities with their distinctive signs and newly developed technologies employing artificial intelligence systems.

References

1. 1.Hekimoglu, K., Gopalan, D., Onur, M. R., Kahraman, G., & Akay, T. (2026). Imaging in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: review of the current literature. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.4274/dir.2025.253249