AHN's Excellence in Cardiac Care with CTEPH Treatment

As one of the longest-standing Pulmonary Hypertension Association-accredited Centers of Excellence in the country, AHN Cardiovascular Institute offers specialized expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

AHN is among a select group of programs nationwide — and one of few in western Pennsylvania — performing both pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) for eligible patients.*

PTE

PTE is the gold standard surgical treatment for CTEPH. The complex procedure removes blood clots and scar tissue from pulmonary arteries to improve blood flow, relieve symptoms — including fatigue, chest pains, shortness of breath, and dizziness — and potentially reverse heart failure.

Few surgeons are trained to perform PTE, and it is estimated that under 30 health centers in the country offer PTE as a treatment. The spring of 2025 signifies a remarkable achievement for AHN — our 100th PTE surgery performed.

BPA

For patients that may not be candidates for major surgery, like PTE, AHN interventional cardiologists perform BPA as a minimally invasive treatment option for CTEPH.

BPA procedures involve using a deflated balloon on a catheter, gradually opening the narrowed or blocked pulmonary arteries over time to improve blood flow and relieve symptoms. BPAs usually take between four to eight sessions to provide adequate results, and may be a standalone treatment or performed on patients with residual disease after PTE surgery.

Early diagnosis is key

If left untreated, CTEPH will lead to heart failure and eventually death. If interventions like PTE or BPA are performed in a timely manner, the chance of survival past 10 years or more is significantly higher.**

“It’s estimated that between 5 to 10% of people who have had a blood clot don’t absorb the clot on their own,” said Hayah Kassis-George, MD, FACC, AHN cardiologist. “That’s why for anyone who has ever had a blood clot or is experiencing symptoms, it’s extremely important to be examined. The earlier we catch these blood clots, we can provide treatment before it turns into CTEPH, or determine which treatment is right for addressing CTEPH before it’s too late.”

Collaborative care close to home

AHN’s designated CTEPH coordinators and critical care specialists ensure patients are well cared for from diagnosis to post-surgical recovery. Our team offers easy methods of communication including text, email, phone calls, and online portals so we can be accessible to patients and other providers during critical times in a patient’s health journey.

“We understand we’re making big decisions, so it’s important we don’t look at a patient’s health with tunnel vision,” said Dr. Kassis-George. “Our cardiologists have trained at the world’s best institutions for PTE and BPA procedures, and we all come together — cardiologists, radiologists, rheumatologists, and more — to address a patient’s case thoroughly and with the utmost care.”

While AHN Allegheny General Hospital serves as the central hub for AHN Cardiovascular Institute, our cardiologists participate in outreach clinics spanning Grove City, Beaver, Wexford, and the South Hills to make care more convenient for patients.

How to refer

At AHN, our team of specialists is here to provide life-saving interventions for patients with CTEPH. To make a referral, call (844) MD-REFER (844) 637-3337.