The effect of a multidisciplinary team on the implementation rates of major diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND:Although guidelines have recommended that patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) should be managed by a multidisciplinary team (MDT), there is a lack of clinical data indicating that the MDT improves CTEPH management. OBJECTIVES:The study aimed to identify the effect of an MDT on CTEPH management. METHODS:We divided the study period into pre-MDT and post-MDT eras and compared the implementation rates of major diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. RESULTS:Of 116 patients with CTEPH, 42 (36.2%) were diagnosed in the post-MDT era. The implementation rates of right heart catheterization (10.8% vs. 97.6%, p < 0.001) and pulmonary endarterectomy (32.4% vs. 59.5%, p < 0.005) were significantly increased in the post-MDT era. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty was not performed in the pre-MDT era but was performed in the post-MDT era. CONCLUSIONS:The MDT appears to be associated with improved CTEPH management.