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AHN Pulmonary Hypertension Program

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), or high blood pressure in the lungs, can affect your quality of life and lead to right-sided heart failure. Experts at the (AHN) Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic diagnose and treat PH. We were the first PH clinic in western Pennsylvania accredited by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association as a Center for Comprehensive Care*.

Amresh Raina, MD — Director, Advanced Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension Programs

"The care of Pulmonary Hypertension patients, particularly on multi-drug regimens, is highly nuanced. So we strive to tailor the appropriate drugs to the appropriate patients."

        Amresh Raina, MD — Director, Advanced Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension Programs

View on YouTube how PH is treated
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Pulmonary hypertension treatment 

Our doctors will complete a physical examination and run a series of tests to diagnose the cause of the condition along with its severity. Management of PH may include:

  • Medications.
  • Lifestyle and dietary changes.
  • Surgery.
  • Regular appointments.

The best treatment for pulmonary hypertension depends upon the type of pulmonary hypertension you have and its severity. For pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), treatment is typically medications that dilate or relax the constriction in the pulmonary arteries. PH medicines can be used alone but are often combined, and treatments range from oral to inhaled and intravenous options. In some patients with severe and progressive PAH, lung transplantation may be a treatment option.

Types of PH we treat

There are several factors that can cause raised blood pressure in the lungs, leading to different types of PH, including:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), WHO Group I

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic disease that causes thickening and constriction of the blood vessels of the lungs, preventing blood from circulating properly through the lungs and putting stress on the right side of the heart. There are a variety of types of PAH: idiopathic, heritable, drug- and toxin-induced, PAH associated with congenital heart disease, PAH associated with connective tissue and autoimmune disorders, and, lastly, PAH related to liver disease with portal hypertension.

Pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH), pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease, WHO Group II

PVH, also known as post-capillary PH, occurs when there is back pressure of fluid into the lungs. This is caused by left-sided congestive heart failure, either due to a weak left-sided heart muscle, left-sided valvular heart disease, or stiffness of the left side of the heart.

Pulmonary hypertension related to lung disease and hypoxia, WHO Group III

This type occurs due to primary issues with the lungs, such as pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, and emphysema. Newer therapies are now available to treat patients with pulmonary hypertension related to pulmonary fibrosis, sleep apnea, and sleep disordered breathing.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), WHO Group IV

AHN experts are experienced at treating a rare form of PH called chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). CTEPH is a rare and progressive type of PH caused by blood clots, or pulmonary emboli, that are either never recognized or don’t dissolve in the lungs despite treatment with blood thinners. These blood clots clog or narrow the small blood vessels in the lungs, interfering with blood flow. Learn more about CTEPH.

Contact us

Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 or request an appointment with AHN cardiovascular services.

Find us at Allegheny General Hospital

The AHN Pulmonary Hypertension Program is located within the AHN Cardiovascular Institute at:

Allegheny General Hospital
320 East North Avenue
South Tower, First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
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Hours: 8:00 AM –5:00 PM

We also provide cardiac services at these locations:

*For more information on the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Center for Comprehensive Care accreditation, visit phassociation.org/phcarecenters/accredited-centers

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