CTEPH Program

It depends on many factors, including the size and location of your blood clots and your overall health. Because each patient's condition is unique, our multidisciplinary team of experts will determine the best and safest treatment for your specific needs.

• Our doctors help set global standards for CTEPH treatment. It's important to receive care at a comprehensive center with combined expertise in PTE, BPA and pulmonary hypertension, such as UC San Diego Health. Current guidelines recommend selecting a center that performs at least 50 PTE surgeries and at least 100 BPA procedures annually to achieve the best outcomes. UC San Diego Health consistently exceeds these benchmarks.
• Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in pulmonology, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and chest radiology. As a leading academic medical center in pulmonary hypertension, we can often provide access to innovative therapies and clinical trials.
• We pioneered PTE surgery — also known as pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) — which can reverse heart failure and is considered the treatment of choice for CTEPH.
• Our PTE program was designated a Center of Excellence by the American College of Chest Physicians in 2012. We were the first in the U.S. to earn this designation.
• We offer BPA procedures and advanced medical therapies for people who are not candidates for PTE surgery, providing lifesaving alternatives for even the most complex cases.

Contact Our CTEPH Team

Comprehensive CTEPH centers can provide specialized, multidisciplinary care. Such centers have a team of specialists from various fields, including pulmonology, cardiology, radiology and cardiothoracic surgery. Specifically, that team includes experienced PTE surgeons and BPA specialists, as well as experts in pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular radiologists. These centers also offer advanced diagnostics and a range of treatment options, backed by research expertise.

Current global guidelines also recommend that patients select a CTEPH center that performs at least 50 PTE surgeries and 100 BPA procedures annually, and has ECMO support available. UC San Diego Health consistently meets all of these criteria.

If you’ve been told you have CTEPH but you're unsure, or if treatment isn’t helping in the way it should, it’s OK to ask questions or get a second opinion. CTEPH is a rare and complex condition, and sometimes it can be mistaken for other types of pulmonary hypertension or heart/lung problems.

If you’re concerned about a possible misdiagnosis:

• Talk to your doctor: Share your concerns and ask if more testing or a referral to a specialist is right for you.
• Get a second opinion: CTEPH is best diagnosed and treated at centers with special expertise in this condition. A second opinion can confirm your diagnosis or suggest an alternative explanation.
• Ask about diagnostic studies: Tests such as a ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan, right-heart catheterization or pulmonary angiogram are key to accurately diagnosing CTEPH and planning tailored treatment.

A correct diagnosis is the first step to getting the right treatment. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. UC San Diego Health sees patients at all stages of the CTEPH journey. We can help.

Contact Our CTEPH Team

Yes. When performed at experienced centers such as UC San Diego Health, PTE surgery is a safe and highly successful procedure. Most patients notice a rapid and major improvement in symptoms and quality of life afterward.

For patients who are not good candidates for surgery, balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) or pulmonary hypertension medications can help. BPA is a less invasive procedure that opens blocked blood vessels in the lungs using catheters and balloons. At expert BPA centers, it's done in stages and is generally well tolerated.

If the care team determines that PTE surgery or BPA procedure isn't an appropriate treatment, or if symptoms persist after treatment, they may recommend the following medical management options instead:

• Blood thinners to prevent new clots from forming
• Medication such as riociguat (Adempas) to help relax the blood vessels in your lungs and reduce pressure
• Diuretics to help remove extra fluid from the body and reduce the workload on the heart
• Oxygen therapy to help you breathe better

Every treatment has some risks, but serious complications are rare when you’re treated at specialized centers with experts in CTEPH care. UC San Diego Health is a widely recognized expert and leading center in the evaluation and treatment of CTEPH. Your care team will talk with you about the risks and benefits to help you make the best treatment decision.

The average length of stay for PTE surgery is 10 days. Full recovery at home takes about eight weeks.

Once you submit the inquiry form, we will contact you for additional information we may need about your condition and discuss the next steps. We may ask for medical records, imaging, and other relevant tests. Our team will recommend the best treatment for your situation.

The CTEPH treatment journey at UC San Diego Health includes these steps:

1. Complete our patient inquiry form.
2. Submit your medical records, imaging and test results.
3. Our multidisciplinary team will review your information and recommend a personalized treatment plan.
4. Schedule PTE surgery, BPA procedures or another treatment based on recommendations.
5. If you are traveling to San Diego, our team will provide information, including lodging options or hotel discounts.
6. Recover and get follow-up care.

UC San Diego Health accepts most major health insurance plans. Call 858-249-3560 to speak to one of our insurance specialists.

Yes, we welcome and treat many patients from across the U.S. and internationally. Our care team can assist with records, travel and lodging logistics.