Pulmonary vascular disease care
Innovating the future of pulmonary vascular health
Pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) affects the blood vessels between the heart and lungs. When these vessels become narrowed, blocked, or damaged, blood flow is reduced and pressure builds, leading to pulmonary hypertension. The associated chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath can severely limit your daily activities and quality of life.
At Penn Medicine, we have extensive experience diagnosing and treating all forms of pulmonary vascular disease. Our specialists work together to provide coordinated care and offer advanced therapies to address pulmonary hypertension and improve heart and lung function. Our program, one of the first and largest in the country, includes the Comprehensive Pulmonary Embolism Program, focused on the evaluation and treatment of blood clots in the lungs and related conditions.
Penn Medicine is a Pulmonary Hypertension Association-accredited Center of Comprehensive Care. This means we treat all cases, from newly diagnosed to more advanced pulmonary hypertension.
Conditions we treat
Rapid, integrated care for pulmonary embolism
Penn Medicine’s Comprehensive Pulmonary Embolism Program brings together specialists in pulmonology, critical care, cardiology and interventional cardiology, radiology, and hematology to deliver rapid, coordinated care. Our team-based approach enables timely diagnosis and treatment, whether you need emergency care for an acute pulmonary embolism (PE) or ongoing management of CTEPH.
We offer a full range of advanced therapies tailored to your condition, including medical therapies, catheter-based procedures to remove or dissolve clots, and surgical options when appropriate. For people with chronic complications, our program connects seamlessly with a variety of experts to provide specialized evaluation and treatment.
We aim to not only treat PE quickly and effectively but also reduce the risk of recurrence and lasting effects, helping you return to daily life with greater confidence and support.
Advanced treatments for complex pulmonary vascular conditions
Until recently, people with pulmonary hypertension or other forms of pulmonary vascular disease had very few options for the management of their disease. Today, Penn Medicine is at the forefront of research and patient care. Our specialists are well-versed in how to use and combine oral, inhaled, and intravenous (pump-infused) medications to improve symptoms and minimize side effects.
Our team provides personalized pulmonary rehabilitation to help you rebuild strength and stamina while managing pulmonary arterial hypertension and other complex conditions. To support you at every stage, our specialists offer a complete continuum of care, including advanced mechanical circulatory support and close collaboration with our heart transplant and lung transplant teams.
Our doctors
Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.
Locations
Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.
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Patient stories
The right hospitals at the right time
“Knowing there was a really good hospital I had access to in my time of need was important,” said Molly Fadden, who had a smooth and swift transfer from Chester County Hospital to Penn Presbyterian during a medical emergency that required an advanced procedure. Now she’s back on her feet and recovering.