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Getting To The Heart Of The Matter With Your Help
AHN’s Cardiovascular Institute is one of the premier cardiac programs in the country, led by internationally renowned cardiologists and surgeons. Our pulmonary hypertension program has a national reputation for delivering state-of-the-art care for patients with heart disease and provide access to western Pennsylvania’s most comprehensive, multidisciplinary team of specialists and innovative therapies, including many available only through advanced clinical trials.
Due in large part to generous donors, AHN is leading the way in cardiac care. Just ask Dolores.
Dolores led an active lifestyle – until she began experiencing shortness of breath, causing blackouts and requiring her to be on oxygen. During one episode in April 2016, she was unable to get up after regaining consciousness. Her son called 9-1-1 and Dolores was rushed to Allegheny General Hospital.
There, she underwent testing and received treatment for pulmonary emboli, which are blood clots in the lungs. Months of tests and doctor visits passed with no explanation for the blood clots. Dolores’ doctor knew she needed more specialized care – and sent her to AHN to get it.
Dolores was referred to AHN physicians Manreet K. Kanwar, MD and Robert Moraca, MD, who were finally able to get Dolores the answers she needed, diagnosing her with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
CTEPH is a rare form of pulmonary hypertension that restricts the flow of blood from your heart to your lungs. Although curable, it is hard to diagnose because the symptoms match those of many other conditions. Fortunately, Dolores’ cardiologist was specially trained through AHN’s CTEPH community education initiative.
Dolores underwent pulmonary endarterectomy, the only cure for CTEPH, where a surgeon removes all clots from the lungs. Only a handful of surgeons in the United States – which includes those at AHN – can perform the procedure, because the delicate blood vessels require highly skilled hands and special training. Without both, clot removal can damage the arteries and cause other complications.
In addition to Drs. Kanwar and Moraca, Dolores’ care team also included Raymond Benza, MD. Throughout the entire process, Dr. Benza and his team constantly monitored Dolores, staying in close communication about her care and working to maintain low blood pressure in the arteries of her lungs so her heart could get healthy again.
And that’s exactly what happened. Her CTEPH care team cured her. She’s now walking 3 to 5 miles every day – and is no longer on oxygen.
“I was given my life back, and I’m making the most of it," Dolores said.
With appropriate resources, patients will have access to the same level of advanced cardiac care. AHN is grateful for your support of its mission and, specifically, the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine.
