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Conditions

CTEPH Treatment Options

Temple Health offers 1 of only 5 programs in the nation specializing in CTEPH (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) care. Here, patients with this complex condition have access to pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE), the only treatment option proven to correct CTEPH.

Temple has treated more than 425 patients to date using this sophisticated procedure and has achieved a 96% overall success rate.

About PTE Surgery

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Paul Forfia, MD, discusses the diagnosis of CTEPH and how it can be treated with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). Dr. Forfia's discussion of PTE includes the surgical process and recovery timeline.
Paul Forfia, MD, discusses the diagnosis of CTEPH and how it can be treated with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). Dr. Forfia's discussion of PTE includes the surgical process and recovery timeline.

The goal of PTE surgery is simple: remove the blood clots that are causing breathing problems, restore circulation to the lungs and improve quality of life.

Within several weeks after surgery, the majority of patients will:

  • Experience a major improvement in shortness of breath
  • No longer need pulmonary hypertension medications
  • Need only a minimal dose diuretic
  • Function without the need for supplemental oxygen

In select cases, a patient may not qualify for PTE because the clots cannot be easily reached or there is an increased risk due to other medical conditions. They may benefit from medications that reduce pulmonary pressure, or balloon pulmonary angioplasty to open up the blocked pulmonary artery.

Your physician will discuss this CTEPH treatment option with you and perform specialized tests to determine if PTE could help you.

Ready for an Appointment?

Request an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.

PHA Center of Comprehensive Care 2019-2023

Recognized Center of Excellence

Temple has earned the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Center of Excellence designation for our demonstrated ability to effectively diagnose and treat patients with pulmonary hypertension.