Inova Children’s Cardiology is the only program in Northern Virginia to offer expert-level, family-centered care in identifying, treating and managing PH. We achieve this through effective collaboration with subspecialists such as pulmonologists (lung doctors), cardiac intensivists and neonatologists. Through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, we can achieve success not only for PH management, but in optimizing nutrition, growth, lung health, neurologic development and quality of life.
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition that occurs when the blood vessels in the right side of the heart and lungs have abnormally elevated pressure. When there is abnormally high blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation, it means the heart has to work harder to pump blood. When left untreated, PH can lead to right heart failure. Symptoms will depend on the patient’s age, but regardless, untreated right heart failure dramatically impacts a patient’s long term prognosis and quality of life.
Other names for pulmonary hypertension include: Pulmonary arteriopathy; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Primary pulmonary hypertension; Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension; Secondary pulmonary hypertension
Pediatric pulmonary hypertension can be caused by a variety of issues such as underlying genetic abnormalities, congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and chronic lung disease related to prematurity, among others.
The Inova Children's team treats PH due to many causes, including:
- Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
- Congenital heart disease
- Eisenmenger syndrome
- Genetic causes
- Left heart disease
- Obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep-related breathing disorders
- Prematurity
- Sickle cell disease
- Systemic lupus erythematous, scleroderma and connective tissue disorders
- Unknown causes (idiopathic)
Pre-term infant screening for PH relating to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (PH-BPD)
Inova has established a core program for screening infants born prior to 32 weeks’ gestation for PH relating to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (PH-BPD). It is of critical importance that babies who are diagnosed with PH-BPD have optimal multispecialty care to maximize their ability to:
- Feed by mouth and maintain weight gain
- Breathe independently without supplemental oxygen
- Gain strength to meet their developmental milestones
These initial efforts during the newborn period highly impact their long-term prognosis and quality of life.
Accurate assessment, diagnosis and treatment for pediatric PH
Through advanced, multimodality imaging and procedures including echocardiography, CT scan, cardiac MRI and cardiac catheterization, we can adequately assess a child’s heart, lungs and other organs. At times, more specialized exams are required such as a V/Q (lung flow) perfusion scan, which can help to quantify blood flow through the lungs. If there is a concern for obstructive sleep apnea, which may contribute to PH, a sleep study can be performed.
Medical therapy for PH has evolved in the last several decades, and novel medications continue to be introduced for use in the adult and pediatric population. Based on evaluation of the cause and severity of PH, our dedicated team is able to effectively treat PH using oral, intravenous, inhaled and subcutaneous medications. While there is no definitive cure for PH, medical therapies can help keep PH under control, enabling patients to engage in routine, day-to-day activities at their best energy levels.
Meet our team
Kinjal Parikh, MD, Director, Pediatric PH Program
Emily McDonald, RN, Pediatric PH nurse navigator
Lauren Mangenello, RDN, Nutritionist
Dinesh Pillai, MD, Pediatric Pulmonologist
Timothy A. Kline, MD, Neonatologist and Perinatologist
Luis Lozada-Marrero, MD, Neonatologist and Perinatologist
Christopher Tsang, MD, Otolaryngology (ENT)
Inova's PH team is here for you
Open access to Inova's medical team for questions and check-ins: Families have access to the pediatric PH team at all times for check-ins, questions, concerns or other topics for discussion. When the time comes, we assist in the seamless transfer of care to our adult colleagues at Inova, who are also PH specialists.