Fig. 1
Functional assessment and imaging of chronic thromboembolic material in the pulmonary circulation. a VE/VCO2 ratio during exercise. Lower values indicate better ventilatory efficiency. Compared to a matching athlete (male, 46 y, 177 cm, 70 kg), impaired ventilatory efficiency is visible, reflecting ventilation/perfusion mismatch. b Ventilation-/perfusion (V/Q) scan showing large defects in the right upper lobe and in the left lower lobe. c V/Q scan 12 months after PEA, showing a substantial reduction of previously documented perfusion defects. d Surgical specimen. Successful bilateral pulmonary endarterectomy of wall-adherent thrombotic material with advanced fibrotic remodelling