Before the Procedure

Your health care team helps you prepare for surgery and recovery. They let you know what to bring to the hospital and what to expect while you are there. They may also order tests and exams before surgery.

You will receive instructions on how to get ready the day before and morning of surgery, including:

• What to eat and drink
• When to shower
• Which medications you can take and cannot take

Be sure to read all instructions carefully and let your team know if you have any questions or concerns. 

During the Procedure

PTE is a four-to six-hour surgery. You receive general anesthesia to help you sleep during surgery. Once you are asleep, the surgeon:

1. Makes an incision down the center of your chest and separates your breastbone to provide access to your heart and lungs.
2. Connects you to a heart-lung bypass machine, which takes over your heart and lung function.
3. Cools your body to 68 degrees F.
4. Stops the heart-lung machine for 20 minutes at a time. During this time, the surgeon opens your pulmonary arteries and removes the blood clots and scar tissue.
5. Repeats the 20-minute cycles until your arteries are clear.

After the Procedure

Patients stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for several days after PTE surgery. Being in the ICU can be overwhelming. You will be connected to a ventilator and will have tubes in your chest to drain fluids. Our experienced team monitors your recovery closely and gives you medications to keep you calm and comfortable.

After leaving the ICU, most patients remain in the hospital for one to two weeks to heal and regain their strength. During that time, we monitor your heart and lung function and prepare you to care for yourself at home.

Physical and occupational therapy are helpful after surgery. You may start therapy while still in the hospital or after you go home. For the first few months after surgery, we see you regularly to track your progress.

Long-term, we monitor you for new pulmonary blood clots, which are rare. Blood-thinning medications  — which you will take for the rest of your life — help prevent new blood clots from forming.