Temple University Hospital’s Advanced Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure & CTEPH/PTE Heart Program has reached two clinical milestones by performing its 500th pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) and 500th balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). These procedures are treatments for patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH).
“We are extremely proud to have achieved 1,000 combined PTEs and BPAs,” said Anjali Vaidya, MD, FACC, FASE, FACP, Professor of Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and Director of the Advanced Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure & CTEPH Program at Temple University Hospital. “The Temple Heart and Vascular program has grown rapidly since its inception in 2013, becoming the largest CTEPH center in the Eastern United States. Our success is a testament to the dedication of our team, including specially trained heart failure specialists, surgeons, and interventional cardiologists.”
CTEPH is a condition that involves high blood pressure in the lungs due to blockages caused by previous pulmonary embolisms. The clots stick to artery walls and form scar tissue that blocks blood flow between both sides of the heart. This leads to increased pressure in the lungs and can cause serious issues such as shortness of breath and right-sided heart failure.
PTE surgery removes these clots using a heart-lung machine that takes over circulation while surgeons operate. Patients’ body temperatures are lowered during surgery to slow metabolism so circulation can be paused safely. Once chronic clots are removed and recovery is successful, this operation can often cure CTEPH.
“PTE is performed at only a handful of hospitals in the U.S., and we are pleased to be able to offer our patients this advanced surgical option with a 95% survival rate,” said Yoshiya Toyoda, MD, PhD, Professor and the William Maul Measey Chair of Surgery at the Katz School of Medicine & Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at TUH. “The improvements patients experience after surgery are life changing.”
For patients who cannot undergo PTE or still have small clots after PTE surgery, BPA offers another treatment route.
“For CTEPH patients who are not candidates for PTE surgery, or who have additional small clots after PTE surgery, BPA is a less invasive option that can help improve symptoms,” said Vladimir Lakhter, DO, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Katz School of Medicine.
BPA uses balloons to open blocked blood vessels in the lungs. This helps restore normal blood flow and reduces symptoms such as shortness of breath.
“BPA at Temple’s Heart and Vascular Institute has been shown to significantly improve pulmonary hypertension symptoms, heart function, and quality of life – with very low complication rates,” said Riyaz Bashir, MD, FACC, Professor of Medicine at the Katz School of Medicine and Director of Vascular and Endovascular Medicine at Temple University Hospital.
“The integration of PTE surgery, BPA, and medical management within our highly experienced pulmonary hypertension program provides comprehensive treatment options so patients can receive the best possible outcome,” said Martin G. Keane, MD, FACC, FAHA, Professor of Medicine at the Katz School of Medicine Chief of Cardiology at TUH and Medical Director of the Temple Heart & Vascular Institute.
