It looks like your browser is out-of-date! For the best user experience, please upgrade to a more modern browser like Chrome or Edge.

Skip to Main Content
Visitor Guidelines | Directrices de visitas

We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure our spaces remain safe for patients, parents and caregivers. View visiting guidelines.

Estamos adoptando medidas reflexivas para garantizar que nuestros espacios sigan siendo seguros para los pacientes, los padres y los cuidadores. Vea las directrices de visitas.

Mobile sized logo
  • 317.944.5000
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Find a Career
    • Health Information
    • Find a Doctor
    • Departments & Programs
    • Support Services
    • Contact & Locations
    • Refer a Patient
    • My IU Health Patient Portal
Riley Children's Health
  • 317.944.5000
  • My IU Health Patient Portal
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Find a Career
Book Appointment Online with select physicians.
Request Appointment Online to schedule with one of our coordinators.
1.888.IUHEALTH for
Same-Day Primary Care Appointments.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Find a Career
  • Health Information
  • Find a Doctor
  • Departments & Programs
  • Support Services
  • Contact & Locations
  • My IU Health Patient Portal
  • General Information
    317.944.5000
  • Health Information
  • Find a Doctor
  • Departments & Programs
  • Support Services
  • Contact & Locations
Riley Children's Health

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)
  • Find a Doctor
  • Request An Appointment
  • On This Page:
  • Treatments
  • Key Points to Remember
  • Support Services & Resources
  • Locations
  • Departments Treating This Condition
Go back to the top of the page

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) relates to high blood pressure in the lung arteries. One particular type, called chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), is rare but serious in children. It is caused by blood clots in the arteries of the lungs.

Symptoms of CTEPH in Children

When diagnosed early, pediatric CTEPH is often curable. Surgery can be performed to remove blood clots and scar tissue that are causing the problem. If untreated, it can lead to heart failure. It can occur alongside other illnesses, such as sickle cell disease.

If a child gets tired or short of breath easily, their doctor may recommend testing for a range of potential heart and lung concerns. Symptoms of CTEPH may also include a dry cough, chest pain, or dizziness.

Diagnosis of CTEPH

It is important to fully understand what is going on with a child’s heart and lungs in order to find any areas of concern, whether it’s CTEPH or something else. The pulmonary hypertension team at Riley at IU Health may order one or more tests to help determine the cause of your child’s symptoms. These might include:

  • Chest x-ray: A x-ray can let the medical team see the child’s heart and lungs to get a clearer picture of their health.
  • Pulmonary function testing: This may include a single test or a series of tests, such as spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion testing, respiratory muscle strength, or treadmill testing.
  • Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram captures a moving image of the child’s heart as it works. The doctor can review the image to look for evidence of blood clots.
  • Ventilation/perfusion scan (V/Q): This diagnostic tool tests for blood clots in the lungs by looking at how air and blood flow to the lungs. The doctor will review the resulting images to evaluate the health of the lungs.
  • Cardiac catheterization: A small, flexible tube is threaded through a vein in the arm, upper thigh, or neck. Special dye is injected to allow the doctor to see how the blood flows through the heart and blood vessels.
  • Cardiac MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses strong magnets and radio waves to form detailed images, while the child lies still on a table. These images can help the medical team see greater detail than an x-ray.
  • CT scan: In a computed tomography (CT) scan, an x-ray beam moves around the body for a 360-degree view. It takes many images of the lungs and inside the chest. The child may be asked to drink a contrast dye in order to help certain areas show up on the images.

Treatments

Treatments

Surgery for CTEPH

If your child is diagnosed with CTEPH, they may be a candidate for surgery called pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). It is a complex procedure, and can sound frightening, but it has an excellent long-term survival rate. Without it, blood clots could eventually cut off blood flow to the lungs, causing severe or even fatal damage.

During PTE, a surgeon removes the blood clots from the blood vessels in the lungs. It can take several hours to perform, and the child will need to recover in the hospital for a week to 10 days. They will ease back into regular activity and may need supplemental oxygen for a while.

Following the surgery, the child’s lungs should have normal blood flow through the pulmonary arteries. They will be able to breathe more easily and be more active.

Key Points to Remember

Key Points to Remember

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical.

When recognized early, the disease is often curable with PTE surgery.

Support Services & Resources

Support Services & Resources

Visit the links below to learn more about CTEPH and find support services.

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

Pulmonary Hypertension Association

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association provides information related to CTEPH as well as patient resources and support.

Locations

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Riley Pediatric Pulmonology & Respiratory Care

4.8 out of 5 stars (1,457 ratings)
Score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized NRC Health Patient Experience Survey.
Learn About Survey

575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.948.7208

Get Directions

View location information

See all facilities →

Departments Treating This Condition

Departments Treating This Condition

  • Pulmonary Hypertension Program
  • Pulmonology & Respiratory Care
Riley Children's Health Indiana University School of Medicine
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2023 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org

Get Informed

  • About Riley Children's Health
  • Family Support Services
  • Health Professionals
  • Medical Education
  • Newsroom
  • Riley Connections Blog
  • Careers
  • Legal Notices

I Want To…

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Refer a Patient
  • Plan My Visit
  • Pay a Bill
  • Make a Donation
  • Volunteer
  • Find a Career

General Information

317.944.5000

Connect with Riley at IU Health

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • RSS
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2023 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org


Non-discrimination Notice

  • English
  • Español
  • Français
  • Burmese
  • Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch
  • 中文
  • Nederlands
  • Deutsch
  • Hakha
  • 日本語
  • Karen
  • 한국어
  • Русский
  • Tagalog
  • Tiếng Việt
  • العربية
  • हिंदी
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
Back to top of the page