What to Expect From the Norton Children’s Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Service

Submit request or call to make an appointment.

Pulmonary hypertension occurs when blood pressure is high in the lungs’ blood vessels. Pulmonary hypertension can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including heart defects related to structure or too much blood flow to the lungs, birth defects such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a poorly functioning left ventricle, and chronic lung disease related to oxygen toxicity. We provide inpatient and outpatient consultations and follow-up care related to pulmonary hypertension.

Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension

Patients often receive medication to treat pulmonary hypertension. Some children receive a liquid medication at home. Others may need an intravenous medication that requires continuous monitoring in the intensive care unit.

Cardiac Catheterization for Pulmonary Hypertension

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure. A surgeon will insert small tubes into blood vessels, then thread tools through the tubes. Also known as catheters, these tubes give the surgeon the ability to precisely diagnose pulmonary hypertension, pinpoint a treatment plan and monitor progress.

Pediatric cardiologist Edward S. Kim, M.D. is medical director of our two state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratories. He and his team work closely with other providers, including pulmonologists, neonatologists and intensivists, to ensure that patients receive coordinated, multidisciplinary care.

Why Choose Norton Children’s Heart Institute

  • Norton Children’s Hospital has been a pioneer in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, performing Kentucky’s first pediatric heart transplant in 1986 and becoming the second site in the United States to perform an infant heart transplant.
  • The American Board of Thoracic Surgery has certified our cardiothoracic surgeons in congenital heart surgery.
  • The Adult Congenital Heart Association has accredited Norton Children’s Heart Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program as the only comprehensive care center in Kentucky and Indiana treating adults born with a heart defect.
  • More than 17,000 children a year visit Norton Children’s Heart Institute for advanced heart care.
  • Norton Children’s Heart Institute has offices across Kentucky and Southern Indiana to bring quality pediatric heart care closer to home.
  • The Jennifer Lawrence Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Norton Children’s Hospital is the largest dedicated CICU in Kentucky, equipped with 17 private rooms and the newest technology available for heart care.

Related Stories

Service with heart: A pediatric transplant nurse’s story
Meet the Norton Children’s surgeon who delivers every heart transplant
What does a pediatric cardiac surgeon do?
New type of pacemaker gets Louisville girl active again