Pulmonary Hypertension Program
We Provide Expert Pulmonary Hypertension Care
Pulmonary Hypertension Program
The Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program (PH) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital started in 2016. The program is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for children with pulmonary hypertension. Our team is led by a cardiologist program director, two nurse practitioners and an RN clinical program coordinator. We work closely with other specialties including cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) providers and transplant physicians to ensure the best outcomes for our patients. Our goal is to support children with pulmonary hypertension through their hospital stay and ongoing outpatient visits. We often consult with other hospital departments and outside PH centers. The PH team also welcomes transfer patients seeking second opinions or treatment. Our expertise covers various types of pediatric PH and stays up to date with the latest medications and research in this field. At Nationwide Children’s, compassion fuels our pursuit of healing and hope.
Conditions We Treat in the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program
The PH Program at Nationwide Children's provides comprehensive care for newborns up to older teens who have pulmonary hypertension resulting from congenital heart defects, prematurity, pulmonary vein stenosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or genetic factors. We also treat children who developed pulmonary hypertension after heart surgery, referrals from other hospitals, and families who relocate to Columbus to seek the expertise of our specialists.
Our specialization in pediatric care sets our program apart from others. We understand the unique needs of babies, children and teens as they grow and develop, and our treatment approaches are individually tailored. Our reputation has attracted patients from Ohio and neighboring states such as Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia.
Pulmonary Hypertension Program Treatment and Services
At the PH Program at Nationwide Children's, we offer comprehensive treatment and services for children with pulmonary hypertension. We are committed to providing the highest quality of care and ensuring efficiency in our services for all patients. Our team of experienced specialists are well-versed in all aspects of PH care. We treat a large number of patients every year. Our expertise covers a wide range of treatment interventions including continuous infusions as well as all other types of PH medications.
We understand that each child’s journey may differ. We are committed to providing personal and compassionate care to meet their unique needs. Whether your child is diagnosed at birth or later in life, we remain dedicated to providing the best care possible to every patient and their family.
Every outpatient appointment will include an echocardiogram or ultrasound. Your child may also have an EKG and walk test at each appointment to measure how far they can walk in six minutes.
How We Test, Monitor and Diagnose Pulmonary Hypertension
There are many tests that can help diagnose pulmonary hypertension. Some of the more common diagnostic tests the team may perform at first include:
| Test | Purpose of Test |
| Chest X-ray |
|
| Echocardiogram – ultrasound of heart |
|
| Blood work |
|
| Chest CT (computed tomography) |
|
| Heart (cardiac) catheterization |
An invasive procedure performed in the catheterization lab (specialized operating room). This test needs sedation.
|
| Lung perfusion scan |
Test done in radiology with IV contrast
|
| Sleep study |
Overnight hospital monitoring of breathing and oxygen saturations
|
| ENT/Pulmonary bronchoscopy |
Procedure that requires sedation to look at airway with a camera
|
Meet the Pulmonary Hypertension Program Team
It's not just who treats your child that makes a difference at Nationwide Children's. It's how your child is treated here. The Pulmonary Hypertension team of specialists is passionate about providing exceptional care. Helping all children with PH is our purpose and what drives us every day. It's why we do what we do. From evaluation to treatment and beyond, a team of experts is required to ensure best outcomes. Our dedicated team of pulmonary hypertension experts will follow your child during any hospital admission and aftercare appointments. We are able to provide care and treatments for all types of pulmonary hypertension.
Our commitment to excellence extends beyond providing care. We maintain alliances professional organizations to ensure we stay at the forefront of research as well as medical advancements in this specialized field.
Why Choose Nationwide Children's for Your Child's Pulmonary Hypertension Care?
Nationwide Children's is one of the few program in the U.S. that offers a pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program. As the leader in pediatric care, we also offer all cardiology services, cardiothoracic surgery, and everything else you would expect to find at a nationally-renowned heart center. Whether your child is newly diagnosed with PH, or you have been living with a congenital heart condition for many years, our pediatric experts offer specialized patient care and support for the entire family. Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Cardiology and Heart Surgery.
Leading the Way to New Treatments and Outcomes Through Clinical Research
Clinical care and research work together. This helps scientists and doctors to find new treatments and therapies. Clinical studies (also called clinical trials) will continue to become more common in daily care at Nationwide Children's. Clinical studies help doctors learn more about conditions and treatment.
This means you might hear about a clinical study that your child might be able to join. This does not mean that your child has to join a study. You always have the choice about whether or not to join a study.
Becoming a Patient
Patients must be referred to our team to enable us to set up a clinic appointment with one of our providers. We also accept families looking for second opinions. To become a patient, please provide the following:
- Last office visit report from cardiologist
- Catheterization history
- Past one to two years of imaging
- NICU discharge note (if applicable)
- Medication history
Call the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Program at (614) 722-2530.
