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Pulmonary endarterectomy is a surgical procedure specifically designed to treat chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which results from blood clots that obstruct the pulmonary arteries. This procedure involves the removal of organized blood clots from the pulmonary artery, which can significantly improve blood flow and reduce pressure in the pulmonary circulation.

The primary reason this treatment is considered curative is that it addresses the underlying cause of CTEPH by physically removing the obstructions that contribute to increased pulmonary vascular resistance. By restoring normal blood flow, it can lead to substantial improvements in exercise capacity, symptoms, and overall quality of life for patients suffering from this condition. In some cases, it can even reverse the structural changes in the pulmonary arteries.

While other treatment options for CTEPH, such as medications, may focus on alleviating symptoms or managing the disease, pulmonary endarterectomy uniquely targets the cause of the problem, making it a potentially curative intervention when it is performed on appropriately selected patients.