Page Content
Pulmonary vascular disease is a broad term for various abnormalities in the structure or function of the blood vessels of the lung. Many patients with pulmonary vascular disease have pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lung. Pulmonary hypertension results from progressive constriction and occlusion of the small blood vessels of the lung. It is a life-threatening illness in advanced stages, when the right side of the heart has difficulty pumping blood through the lung.
Pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension may be associated with diseases of the heart, lung, liver, immune system or blood. As a result, the care of children with pulmonary vascular disease can be complex. The outcome of patients is improved when care is provided by experienced individuals who are devoted to improving the evaluation and treatment for this spectrum of disease.
Dr. Ronald Day has been devoted to improving the care of children with pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension at Primary Children’s Heart Center since 1991. We are expanding the scope of the program with our commitment to care, research and education.
Comprehensive Care
We strive to provide optimal care, tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Key components include:
- Accurately identifying the cause of pulmonary vascular disease.
- Safely determining the severity of pulmonary vascular disease.
- Providing every available option for treatment to improve the patient’s quality and length of life.
- Providing support for the physical and emotional well-being of patients and their families.
Research
We strive to improve care through a commitment to clinical research. Current projects include:
- Developing new methods to evaluate the severity of pulmonary vascular disease.
- Developing new methods to identify patients with pulmonary vascular disease during exercise.
- Collaborating with other centers that care for children with pulmonary vascular disease through an international registry.
Education
We strive to help patients, families, and care providers understand pulmonary vascular disease by:
- Providing education for patients and their families
- Providing education for other health care providers.
- Providing patients, families, and care providers with access to support from other organizations that offer resources and hope for the treatment of this disease.
Pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension are serious problems. However, there is a community of professionals and patients devoted to care and treatment. At Primary Children’s Heart Center, we are committed to providing compassionate care and empowering our patients with hope.