AHN CTEPH Program

When left untreated, CTEPH prognosis is very poor. However, there are effective CTEPH treatment options available. For some, CTEPH can be cured with surgery, while others will benefit from treatments that can significantly improve their quality of life.

Learn more about what causes CTEPH as well as risk factors and how to prevent it. 

CTEPH symptoms

Talk to your primary care provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath, especially during exercise
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations (feeling a rapid, irregular heartbeat in the chest, throat, or neck)
• Chronic fatigue
• Feeling weak or fainting
• Cyanosis (blue coloration on the fingers and toes)
• Swelling of the legs
• Coughing up blood

If you don’t have a primary care provider, you can find an AHN Primary Care provider or an AHN Pulmonologist to schedule an appointment today.

Getting a CTEPH diagnosis

Diagnosing CTEPH can be challenging because the symptoms can mimic those of other conditions. If you are concerned you may have CTEPH, your doctor will perform a physical exam, review and discuss your medical history, and order some tests. Diagnostic tests for CTEPH include:

• Ventilation-perfusion (VQ): This is a diagnostic imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to assess how well the lungs are ventilated (airflow) and perfused (blood flow). It helps identify areas of the lungs where blood flow is blocked, indicating potential blood clots in the pulmonary arteries which carry blood from your heart to your lungs.
• Right heart catheterization: This procedure involves inserting a catheter into a vein in the arm or leg and threading it to the heart to measure blood pressure in the heart and lungs.
• CT scan. This imaging test can help identify blood clots in the lungs.
• Pulmonary angiography: This procedure involves injecting dye into the pulmonary arteries to visualize them on an X-ray.
• Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE): This is a non-invasive ultrasound imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize the heart to assess the size and function of the right ventricle, which is often enlarged and strained due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries caused by blood clots.
• Dual energy computer tomography angiography (CTA): This is a less invasive alternative to pulmonary angiography and uses X-rays to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the lungs that can identify blood clots and blockages in the pulmonary arteries.
• Pulmonary CTA chest imaging: This is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses X-rays and contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels in the lungs to identify blood clots and blockages in the pulmonary arteries.

Treatment for CTEPH

AHN is among an exclusive group of medical centers in the country that offers highly complex surgical procedures to treat CTEPH. And as one of two centers in western Pennsylvania accredited by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, we take a multidisciplinary approach to highly specialized care and treatment for CTEPH.

Our treatment options for CTEPH include:

• Anticoagulation medications: This is the first line of treatment for all patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), including those who develop CTEPH. Anticoagulants help prevent future clots from forming.
• Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE): This is a complex surgical procedure used to remove blood clots and scar tissue from the pulmonary arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the lungs. It is the most effective treatment for CTEPH, but it is not suitable for all patients.
• Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA): This minimally invasive surgical procedure uses a balloon catheter to widen narrowed pulmonary arteries. It can be used as an alternative to PTE and in combination with other treatments.
• Medication therapy: Medications such as vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors can help improve blood flow and reduce symptoms.
• Lung transplant: This is a last resort option for patients with severe CTEPH who are not suitable for other treatments.

Our team of CTEPH specialists includes board-certified physicians in cardiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, critical care medicine, and hematology. We work with pulmonary hypertension specialists to provide you with all-inclusive care and have a dedicated nurse coordinator who guides you through the diagnosis and treatment process.

CTEPH Program specialists

Our team of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension specialists is led by:

And includes:

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Specialists

Diagnostic Radiology Specialists

Knowing who to call to make the correct appointment depends on whether you have a current CTEPH diagnosis. The AHN CTEPH Program offers the following appointment scheduling options for:

Those not diagnosed with CTEPH

If you do not have a CTEPH diagnosis but are concerned about symptoms, you can make an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) to talk about your concerns and next steps. Your PCP may refer you to a general cardiologist or pulmonologist for further evaluation.

To get started, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to schedule your appointment.

You can also find an AHN primary care provider near you and schedule an appointment to talk through your options.

If you already have a PCP and they have referred you to a specialist, you can use Find Care to schedule with a cardiologist or pulmonologist close to home.

Those with a referral for CTEPH treatment or want a second opinion

If you have been diagnosed with CTEPH and are looking for specialized care, or if you would like to get a second opinion about your condition or diagnosis, call the CTEPH Program Coordinator at (412) 442-2450.

What to expect at your first appointment

When you schedule an appointment with the CTEPH Program, our nurses will talk with you about any additional testing that you may need. If you need imaging on the day of your appointment, your doctor may have you go to radiology or echocardiology beforehand to get scans of your heart and aortic valve.

At your first appointment, your care team will:

• Thoroughly review your medical history.
• Order advanced imaging to diagnose, monitor, and determine how complex your condition is.
• Develop a personalized care plan that addresses your specific condition and personal goals.
• Discuss long-term management plans for ongoing care. This includes providing information on genetic testing, counseling, and imaging for family members, so we can track any inherited conditions carefully.

If your condition is complex or you will need surgical treatment, you’ll benefit from all our specialists weighing in on your proposed treatment plan to decide the next best course of action. 

At every appointment, your care team will use the most advanced technology and treatment options available, incorporating ongoing research from clinical trials and continuing education from our specialists. 

The AHN Cardiovascular Research Institute is established on more than 100 years of innovation with diverse areas of focus, including research for the latest heart disease treatments and cardiac technology. Our qualified team and CTEPH specialists take pride in using state-of-the-art devices, technology, and therapies to help revolutionize care for advanced cardiovascular disease.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are special research opportunities that explore medical treatments, strategies, or devices to ensure they’re safe and effective for human use. 

Active cardiovascular clinical trials

By prioritizing research and innovation, our physicians and patients are engaged in more than 100 national and international clinical trials. Participating in these trials gives AHN patients special access to some of the newest potential treatment options for cardiovascular disease and aortic disease. Participation in clinical trials is based on meeting eligibility criteria.

To express interest in a clinical trial or to learn more about research opportunities, check out our active cardiovascular clinical trials.

If you are not associated with AHN and would like to refer your patient to an AHN Cardiovascular Institute specialist, you can do so by using AHN Find Care or AHN Physician Access.

How to refer your patient to the AHN Cardiovascular Institute

1. Find the specialist you’re looking for and the most convenient location for your patient. Then, request an appointment for your patient directly from the doctor’s profile on Find Care, providing relevant patient details.
2. Go to the Physician Access tool, refer your patient to an AHN Cardiovascular Institute specialist, and request an appointment.

If you have any questions about independent physician referral, see our frequently asked questions and answers.

After referring your patient

Once your patient is receiving care from an AHN specialist, you can view their test results, see their treatment plan, follow their treatment progress, and collaborate with our team using the EpicCare® Link™ platform.

If you are new to EpicCare Link or are having trouble accessing your account, you can request a new account or get answers about an active account.

Releasing medical records to EpicCare Link

If you can’t access your patient's AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form based on their state of residency. You can download and print this form for your patients. Use the following medical records release forms for:

• AHN Medical Records Release Form for New York state residents [PDF]
• AHN Medical Records Release Form for all other patients [PDF]