Pulmonary Vascular Medicine

The Pulmonary Vascular Center at UC San Diego diagnoses and treats patients with pulmonary vascular diseases, including chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, connective tissue diseases and pulmonary vasculitis. Since its inception in 1988, the multi-disciplinary team of surgeons and researchers at the Pulmonary Vascular Center have developed techniques to facilitate the diagnosis and management of patients with primary and secondary forms of pulmonary hypertension. The Pulmonary Vascular Center serves as an international referral center for hospitals and physicians throughout the world.

Chronic Thromboembolic Disease - The diagnostic approach and management of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension was pioneered by UCSD faculty, and to date, our team has performed over 2,500 pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) operations--more than all other centers combined worldwide.

Pulmonary Hypertension - UCSD faculty has played a leading role in the development of treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), as well as other forms of hypertensive pulmonary vascular diseases such as connective tissue disease, portal-pulmonary hypertension, and congenital heart disease.  Physicians provide assistance in diagnosis, long-term management, and education of patients, families and the medical community.

Lung Transplantation - Our transplantation team pioneered thoracic transplantation for pulmonary vascular disease, and the Lung Transplantation Program is one of the most active programs in the United States. The close working relationship between physicians and surgeons facilitates optimal care for patients.

Unique Interventional Techniques

• Pulmonary angioscopy for the evaluation of chronic thromboembolic disease or the diagnosis of pulmonary vasculitis or vascular tumors
• Balloon atrial septostomy for the management of refractory right heart failure; and 
• Interventional bronchoscopy (biopsy, laser, stent placement) for parenchymal and airway complications related to transplantation.