Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex disorder with significant effects on morbidity and mortality. It is of paramount importance to gain greater understanding of the mechanisms responsible for disease pathogenesis in these patients to provide more comprehensive treatment options. The mission of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center at Boston Medical Center (Boston University School of Medicine) is to improve the lives of persons living with pulmonary hypertension by providing state-of-the-art patient care coupled with innovative research aimed at understanding the pathogenesis and natural history of pulmonary hypertension.

The staff of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center at Boston Medical Center is comprised of physicians and a nurse practitioner with expertise in pulmonary hypertension and a dedicated clinic staff. The center is directed by Dr. Elizabeth Klings, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, who is an international expert in the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension related to sickle cell disease, and has been caring for patients with PH for nearly 20 years. Dr. Klings is a member of the American Thoracic Society, the American Society of Hematology and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and lectures locally, nationally and internationally on topics related to PH.

Patients with PH are referred to the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic from both within Boston Medical Center and areas throughout New England and beyond. Some patients come only for an initial evaluation or second opinion, while others may be followed for years. Approximately 100-150 new referrals per year are seen at the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic, staffed by Dr. Klings and Denise Curran, RNP. Right heart catheterizations are performed routinely in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of Boston Medical Center by Drs. Klings, Hector Marquez and Ehab Billatos of Pulmonary/Critical Care and Dr. Nir Ayalon of Cardiology with our clinical fellows. We perform approximately 200 right heart catheterizations annually.  A PH consultation service led by Drs. Klings and Marquez evaluates and follows all inpatients with PH related issues at Boston Medical Center along with our clinical fellows.  All first year clinical fellows spend 10 weeks on the inpatient PH consult service.  Senior fellows with interest in PH have the opportunity for additional inpatient or outpatient clinical experience.

Clinical Activities:

  • Initial assessment of patients with pulmonary hypertension
  • Diagnostic right heart catheterizations with vasodilator trials
  • Use of oral, inhaled and systemic pulmonary vasodilator therapy when indicated
  • Ongoing treatment for pulmonary hypertension including clinical follow-up with 6 minute walk tests, echocardiography and right heart catheterizations, and referral for lung transplant as needed
  • Participation in clinical trials and on-going Investigator-initiated research with the goal of advancing knowledge about the pathogenesis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension

Staff with clinical and/or research specialty in Pulmonary Hypertension:

For Patients

To schedule a clinic visit, refer a patient, or speak with one of our physicians, please contact us at:

Boston Medical Center
Pulmonary, Allergy & Sleep
Shapiro Center
9th Floor, Suite 9B
725 Albany Street
Boston, MA 02118
(617)638-7480
Fax: (617) 638-7486