DIVISION OF PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
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DIVISION OF PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE |
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The Pulmonary Vascular Center
The UCSD Pulmonary Vascular Center is a multidisciplinary program committed to patients with pulmonary vascular disease, through the efforts of physicians, surgeons and scientists performing patient care, education, and both clinical and basic research.
Programs within the Pulmonary Vascular Center include:
Chronic Thromboembolic Disease
The diagnostic approach and management of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension was pioneered by UCSD faculty, and to date our team has performed over 1,350 Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy (PTE) operations - more than all other centers worldwide combined.
Pulmonary Hypertension
UCSD faculty have played a leading role in the development of treatments for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), as well as other forms of hypertensive pulmonary vascular diseases such as connective tissue disease, portal-pulmonary hypertension, and congenital heart disease. Physicians provide assistance in diagnosis, long-term management, and education of patients, families and the medical community.
UCSD faculty are also directing programs in developing newer treatments. Clinical trials are underway or under development exploring therapy with subcutaneous and oral prostacyclin analogues, oral endothelin receptor blockers, chronic inhaled nitric oxide, and multi-modality approaches. Epidemiologic studies are exploring risk factors for pulmonary vascular disease.
Transplantation
Our UCSD transplantation team pioneered thoracic transplantation for pulmonary vascular disease, and the UCSD Lung Transplantation Program is one of the most active programs in the United States. The close working relationship between physicians and surgeons facilitates optimal care for patients.
Unique Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities
UCSD physicians have expertise in several unique interventional techniques which may be needed in the care of patients with pulmonary vascular disease. These include: Pulmonary Angioscopy for the evaluation of operability of chronic thromboembolic disease or the diagnosis of pulmonary vasculitis or vascular tumors; Balloon Atrial Septostomy for the management of refractory right heart failure; Interventional Bronchoscopy (Biopsy, Laser, Stent Placement) for parenchymal and airway complications related to transplantation.
Basic Research
UCSD scientists are exploring the cellular and molecular basis for the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension with the goal to develop targeted therapies and, ultimately, a cure. Areas of research include altered membrane-bound ion channel structure/function and calcium signaling, mechanisms of altered cell growth and proliferation, altered signal transduction, and gene transcription and growth factor elaboration. These projects represent the efforts of UCSD researchers in collaboration with other scientists throughout the world.
To refer a patient or if you are a potential patient and you have any questions please contact:
Alecia Vultaggio
Assistant to Director
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
UCSD Medical Center
9300 Campus Point Drive, 7372
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858-657-7105
Fax: 858-657-7144
e-mail: avultaggio@ucsd.edu
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Send questions, comments and suggestions to ceramsey@ucsd.edu
University of California, San Diego
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
9300 Campus Point Drive, 7372
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858)657-7105
Fax: (858)657-7144