Right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension at recurrent thromboembolism of small branches of the pulmonary artery in cancer patients

Aim. Develop new approaches to the diagnosis of right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension in recurrent thromboembolism of small branches of the pulmonary artery in patients with malignant tumors.

Methods. 83 patients with malignant tumors of various localizations were examined and followed-up. The main group included 49 patients with malignant tumors of various localizations and related venous thrombosis. The control group included 34 patients who did not have venous thrombosis. Patients in both groups underwent ultrasonography of inferior vena cava system veins and echocardiography at intervals of 3-4 days during the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. Right ventricle ejection fraction and systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery were calculated at echocardiography.

Results. No signs of inferior vena cava system veins thromboses, right heart failure, pulmonary hypertension were identified in patients of the control group while setting up the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. In 38 out of 49 patients of the main group, right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension of varying severity were detected. The condition of 46 patients of the main group gradually improved after treating with anticoagulants.

Conclusion. Recanalization of venous thrombosis is accompanied by frequent rejection of micro thrombi and embolization of small branches of pulmonary artery, causing right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, which can be promptly detected by repeated echocardiography.