Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

The condition

Pulmonary hypertension is raised blood pressure in the arteries (blood vessels) that supply the lungs. In chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, this is caused when a blood clot that has formed in a deep leg vein becomes loose and is carried in the blood to the lungs. Here, it can block an artery. Blood clots in the lungs may dissolve over time but they don't always dissolve completely, leaving the artery narrowed. This restricts blood flow through the lungs leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, tiredness, chest pain, fluid retention and, eventually, heart failure.

Treatment includes drugs to stop blood clots forming or to dilate narrowed arteries in the lungs. Pulmonary endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that aims to remove the blood clot, but it isn't suitable for everyone. NICE has looked at using balloon pulmonary angioplasty as another treatment option.

NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.