Dr. Terence Trow discusses Pulmonary Hypertension therapies with Mrs. Wynne. Teresa Wynne was on the brink of death when she came to Winthrop-University Hospital's Pulmonary Hypertension Center.

Mrs. Wynne suffers from Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) - high-blood pressure in the lungs. PH causes the small vessels that supply blood from the heart through the lungs to constrict, seriously hampering blood flow through the vessels. As blood flowing out of the heart is reduced, symptoms, such as fatigue and fainting, are increased.

Two years after being diagnosed with PH, her condition worsened, and she began to faint often. She turned to Winthrop's Pulmonary Hypertension Center, one of only a few specialty centers on Long Island that caters to the special needs of PH patients.

Mary Bartlett, NP, the Center's Nurse Practitioner, assesses Mrs. Wynne's exercise performance before discussing the results with Mrs. Wynne and her husband. Terence Trow, MD, Medical Director of the Center, evaluated her condition and immediately admitted her to the Hospital. "We snatched her from death," he said. "When someone starts fainting and blacking out like she did, it's serious."

According to Dr. Trow, PH is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. A chronic condition, PH strains and weakens the heart over time. To develop a specific strategy for individualized total quality care, the Center's team works closely with cardiologists in Winthrop's Institute for Heart Care.

First, a symptomatic patient generally undergoes several diagnostic tests to confirm isolated PH and rule out a blood clot to the lung and blockages in the cardiac arteries. Once PH is diagnosed, there are several forms of treatment, including oral, nebulized and pump-infused medications.

After Dr. Trow placed her on a pump-infused medication that significantly improved her breathing ability and day-to-day functioning, Mrs. Wynne felt better within two days. "The Center's program really has turned things around for Teresa," said her husband, Ed. The Winthrop Pulmonary Hypertension Center has access to resources that help patients deal with PH and tailor their therapy. For more information, contact the Center at (516) 663-2834.