Children with pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) – a rare and often progressive disease resulting in high pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs – receive care from our expert team at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.

There are different forms of PH; it may be genetic or acquired. It can affect children with congenital heart defects, infants with chronic lung disease and may be secondary to other conditions such as sleep apnea, blood clots, autoimmune disorders and liver disease. We treat all types of pulmonary hypertension in our program. 

Why Choose Johns Hopkins All Children’s

Our multidisciplinary care team includes pediatric cardiologists and pulmonologists who focus on pulmonary hypertension, interventional cardiology, neonatology and specialized nurses and pharmacists. Our team works together to diagnose and treat patients, forming comprehensive, coordinated care plans.

We are the first pediatric center in the nation to earn accreditation from the Pulmonary Hypertension Association as a Pulmonary Hypertension Accredited Regional Care Center.

The services we offer include:

• Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic
• Comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis
• Individualized treatment plans
• Advanced imaging
• Cardiac catheterization
• Exercise stress tests
• Six-minute walk tests
• Cardiovascular surgery
• Active participation in clinical trials and research

Meet Our Pulmonary Hypertension Team

What to Expect

Before your child’s first appointment we will ask for any records or previous diagnostic imaging your child may have had at another facility. We can provide more information on how to have these records sent to us.

During your child’s first appointment we will evaluate their vital signs and perform a physical exam. Your child will also have an echocardiogram, which is used to help diagnose pulmonary hypertension. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart and is noninvasive and not painful. Patients older than 8 years old will also typically do a six-minute walking test.

For infant patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (a chronic lung condition in premature infants that can lead to pulmonary hypertension), they will be seen by our team along with a pulmonologist in a combined appointment.

During your child’s appointment we will review the results of the echocardiogram and other testing with you and discuss your child’s diagnosis and answer any questions you may have as well as next steps for any further evaluation and treatment.

Cardiac catheterization may be needed as well to confirm your child’s diagnosis and determine the severity of pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac catheterization involves using a long thin tube called a catheter guided to directly determine pressures and measure blood flow. Your child will be scheduled separately for this procedure, which is performed by the expert team in our Interventional Cardiology program.

If appropriate depending on your child’s age, condition and other factors, we may also recommend an exercise stress test or other tests.

Treatment and Services for Pulmonary Hypertension

We work to treat the underlying condition that may be causing pulmonary hypertension, such as a congenital heart defect, lung disease or other condition. We work with the appropriate specialists needed for your child’s condition, such as cardiology and pulmonology.

Therapies to treat pulmonary hypertension are used to lower pressure in the lungs and help blood flow more easily. This may include:

• Oxygen to help with breathing issues and relax the arteries in the lungs
• Medications to help promote dilation of blood vessels in the lungs
• Anticoagulants to reduce clotting
• Diuretics to reduce fluid in the body and help the heart work better
• Additional medications to improve heart function and blood flow

Our multidisciplinary team provides continuity of care and seamless transition between inpatient and outpatient care and includes a pulmonary hypertension nurse coordinator who helps facilitate case management.

Resources for Families

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association offers a number of helpful resources for families, including living with pediatric PH, school and PH, and information specific to teens and young adults. Learn more.