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Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart
Failure and CTEPH Program

Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure and CTEPH Care at Emory

Several pulmonary conditions have a direct impact on the heart and require specialized care across both the heart and lungs.

Traditional cardiovascular assessment emphasizes left-sided heart disease and circulation, yet many patients have pulmonary vascular and right heart disorders - including CTEPH - or unexplained shortness of breath. The PH, RHF and CTEPH Program is purpose-built to diagnose and manage these complex conditions.

The Emory Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), Right Heart Failure (RHF) & Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) Program is Georgia’s only highly specialized program with advanced expertise in all forms of pulmonary hypertension, right heart dysfunction and CTEPH. We also specialize in evaluating difficult, complex or unexplained shortness of breath (dyspnea).

Paul Forfia, MD directs the PH, RHF & CTEPH program and is an expert in pulmonary hypertension and right heart function. His pioneering work in noninvasive right heart assessment has helped shape international PH guidelines. He is also widely recognized for expertise in CTEPH and exercise testing for complex dyspnea.

Focused Expertise on Right Heart Function

Accurate assessment of the right heart is essential to diagnosing pulmonary hypertension and guiding treatment. Our team specializes in noninvasive imaging and hemodynamic assessment to evaluate right-heart performance.

We also work closely with the Emory Structural Heart Program to assess and manage tricuspid regurgitation, the heart valve disease often referred to as a “leaky” valve, providing coordinated evaluation for surgical and catheter-based valve repair or replacement.

Evaluation for Unexplained or Complex Causes of Shortness of Breath

Unexplained or “mystery” shortness of breath often requires more advanced testing than standard heart and lung evaluations. Which is why patients can struggle without a correct diagnosis for years. Our program offers:

  • Detailed clinical evaluation of dyspnea
  • Comprehensive heart and lung imaging
  • Access to highly specialized testing, including invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET)

iCPET provides detailed insight into how the heart, lungs and muscles respond to exercise. Very few centers in the U.S. offer this test. Paul Forfia, MD, program director, is a national leader with over two decades of experience performing and interpreting iCPET.

CTEPH Care at Emory

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a form of pulmonary hypertension caused by unresolved blood clots that can lead to shortness of breath, elevated pulmonary pressures and, in some cases, right heart failure. Because symptoms often mirror other heart and lung conditions, CTEPH is frequently missed without specialized evaluation. Our team provides advanced diagnosis and treatment for CTEPH, including surgical, catheter-based and medical therapy options.

Learn more about treatments we offer:

  • Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE surgery)
    This is the most common form of CTEPH therapy. It is a highly specialized surgery to remove chronic scar-like clot material from the pulmonary arteries. Approximately 60% of patients with CTEPH in experienced centers are considered eligible for PTE surgery.
  • Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA)
    BPA is typically offered to patients who are not candidates for PTE surgery. This is a catheter-based approach to reach these smaller arteries, with careful balloon inflation in the areas of clot.
  • Medical Therapies
    These therapies lessen resistance to blood flow and lower pulmonary artery pressure and can be used as a sole form of therapy or combined with BPA.

Meet the CTEPH Team

Our CTEPH program includes cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists and critical care specialists.

Program Leadership

  • Paul Forfia, MD
    Director, PH, RHF & CTEPH Program
    Internationally recognized expert in right heart function and CTEPH

  • G. Victor Pretorius, MBChB
    Surgical Director of Heart Transplant and PTE Surgery
    International leader in pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgery

Together, Dr. Forfia and Dr. Pretorius bring experience from more than 2,000 PTE surgeries and 1,000 BPA treatments with excellent outcomes.

Cardiology

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Pulmonary Medicine

Critical Care

For Referring Providers

Advanced evaluation for pulmonary vascular and right heart disease

We welcome referrals for patients with suspected or confirmed pulmonary hypertension, right-sided heart failure, or complex dyspnea.

Our program offers:

  • Detailed right heart hemodynamic assessment
  • Comprehensive CTEPH evaluation
  • Expertise in evaluating tricuspid regurgitation
  • Specialized diagnostic modalities, including iCPET
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration across cardiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiovascular surgery, and imaging

iCPET assessment combines right heart catheterization with detailed gas-exchange analysis (including VO2 assessment) during supine bicycle exercise to identify singular or multifactorial causes of shortness of breath. iCPET often enables precise determination of previously unclear mechanisms of dyspnea and is offered at only a handful of medical centers nationwide.

To refer a patient, call 404-778-5050.

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Refer a Patient to Emory Healthcare’s Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure and CTEPH Program

Our team is committed to serving you and your patients.

To make a referral or discuss a patient, please call 404-778-5050 or visit our Refer Your Patient page for more options.

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Start with a team that specializes in complex right heart disease

Get started with our Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure and CTEPH team by calling 404-778-0175.