Pulmonary Hypertension Program

At the Pulmonary Hypertension Program you will receive the most advanced treatment and therapies from a multidisciplinary team of experts.

Each patient receives a comprehensive evaluation—identifying the illness and helping your care team create an individualized plan that is best for you.

Disorders associated with Pulmonary Hypertension include:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Connective tissue disease (e.g. Scleroderma, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Liver disease
HIV
COPD/Emphysema
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sleep apnea
Congestive heart failure
Pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs)

Symptoms of pulmonary vascular diseases include:

Shortness of breath during exertion
Chest pain
Fatigue
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Swelling of extremities
Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity

Until recently, patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension had very few options for the management of their disease. Today, with advancements in research and clinical trials, we are able to offer revolutionary options to treat and manage pulmonary hypertension.

Our team is dedicated to supporting and educating you and your family about your disease and the care you will receive extends far beyond your office visit.

Evaluation

Prior to your initial consultation, our experts will review your records and past diagnostic testing to determine the best initial course of action. Additional testing may be scheduled even prior to your first visit. These tests may include:

Pulmonary function tests,
Ventilation-perfusion scan,
Echocardiogram,
Chest x-ray,
Blood work.

Depending on the results and the assessment during your visit, a right heart catheterization might be recommended. If there is concern about blood clots in your lungs, a pulmonary angiogram (dye injected into the pulmonary artery) might be recommended.

Treatment

Pulmonary hypertension is a treatable disease. Our program offers all available therapies for pulmonary hypertension to optimize your treatment and minimize side effects. Treatments include:

Prostacyclin agents: medications given intravenously, inhaled, orally, or subcutaneously
Endothelin receptor antagonists: oral therapies that inhibit the harmful effects of endothelin on the blood vessels in the lungs
Nitric oxide agents: oral therapies that increase the beneficial effects of nitric oxide on the blood vessels in the lungs