Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Working for Your Child’s Best Quality of Life
¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children’s gives kids with pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs, care that’s focused on their very best life.Ìý
Pulmonary hypertension can be due to problems in lung development, genetic changes passed in families, congenital heart disease (conditions babies are born with), autoimmune disease or blood clots. There is no cure for pulmonary hypertension. For many babies, the condition improves as they grow.
When you come to ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·, your child gets care that’s coordinated and convenient. Our heart team is part of integrated, award-winning pediatric heart centers in Delaware and Florida. We partner closely with pulmonologists, newborn specialists, rheumatologists, critical care intensivists and more to care for your child.Ìý
We work together to reduce symptoms like shortness of breath, tiredness and swelling, and keep the heart healthy. We also try to slow down or even stop the disease from getting worse. Our goal is to help your child run and play to their highest ability.
Our Services
Our pulmonary hypertension care is team-based. We can schedule appointments so you can see multiple providers on the same day, at the same time in some locations.Ìý
We provide the full spectrum of care, including:
- Fetal heart and high-risk maternity care including diagnostic fetal echocardiograms and treatment after delivery (you may even deliver at our hospital in Delaware)
- Advanced life support, like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) which takes over for heart and/or lungs
- Pediatric intensive care expertise, including the highest level neonatal intensive care available for newborns, as well as cardiac critical care for kids with heart conditions
- Cardiovascular genetics, with testing and counseling for your child and family
- Comprehensive assessment, which may include diagnostic catheterization procedures using thin tubes inserted into blood vessels, advanced heart imaging like echocardiograms, cardiac MRI and CT, and exercise tests that assess heart and lung function
- Complete medical management with pediatric expertsÌýincludingÌýcardiologists, pulmonologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, sleep medicine specialists, heart failure specialists, pharmacists, advanced practice medicine, cardiac nursing, and others
- Innovative heart procedures, including interventional cardiology and electrophysiology procedures to detect and treat certain conditions
- Cardiothoracic surgery to repair underlying heart problems or place stents to improve blood flow
- Cardiac rehabilitation and fitness programs, including customized exercises, nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices that may help your child breathe and feel better
- Cardiac psychology services for your child and family, to strengthen mental health and developmentÌý
- Supportive servicesÌýfrom social workers, Child Life specialists and others who help you find resources and cope with having a chronic condition
- Referral to other ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· specialists depending on your child’s conditionÌý
Two Leading Pediatric Heart Centers
Our heart centers offer highly advanced, integrated care just for kids and young adults with congenital heart disease. Learn about our focused programs, innovative research and exceptional outcomes.ÌýÌý
The circulatory system involves blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart. Learn more about the heart and circulatory system from the experts at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· KidsHealth®.
Catheterization is one way we may assess pulmonary hypertension. Learn what to expect during this procedure.Ìý
Certain congenital heart diseases can cause pulmonary hypertension in children. Find out about the different types, how they’re detected and treated, and more.Ìý
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Conditions & Treatments
We see many conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Related Specialties & Services
Because Kids Deserve to Be Kids
With the right care delivered at the right time, children with pulmonary hypertension can, and do, have an active life. Our team knows what to look for and can begin treatment early, for the best possible outcomes.
Pulmonary hypertension can mimic other conditions, like asthma. Our team has vast experience with early detection when treatment may be more effective.
Your child visits with a cardiologist and pulmonologist, at the same time. You get shared expertise and convenience.Ìý
We offer nurse care coordination for scheduling and insurance, and a direct line of communication.
Your child’s care is led by experts who publish research-backed papers on effectively managing pulmonary hypertension.
Our program addresses your child’s physical and mental wellness, with therapies that strengthen body and spirit.
Meet the Team
¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· pulmonary hypertension teams are experienced and focused on your child's healthiest future. Meet them now.Ìý
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Shubhika Srivastava, MD
Cardiology Division Chief Cardiology, Co-Director Cardiac Center; Medical Director, Echocardiography, Congenital Echocardiography, Fetal Echocardiography Professor of Pediatrics — Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Deepika Thacker, MD
Cardiology Medical Director, Inpatient Cardiac Care Unit Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE
Convenient Follow-Up Appointments by Video
We offer follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.