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Lurie Children’s offers a multidisciplinary Pulmonary Hypertension Program to care for children of all ages and with all types of pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH is a disease of the very small blood vessels within the lungs. When they become narrowed, stiff or clotted, it is more difficult for blood to pass through the vessels. This causes the right side of the heart to work harder to pump blood through these vessels. Therefore, pulmonary hypertension affects both the heart and the lungs.
Our service offers expertise from Pulmonary Medicine, the Heart Center and Neonatology to develop individualized treatment plans for pediatric PH patients.
Why Choose Lurie Children's?
We provide comprehensive treatment to meet the needs of each patient. Pulmonary hypertension specialists collaborate with experts from across Lurie Children’s to provide the best care for each patient. Because certain conditions may cause PH in children, we work with each child’s treatment team to address their complete needs.
We believe in family-centered care, which means we involve the whole family in a patient’s treatment plan. Our Pulmonary Hypertension Program is a member site of the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Network (PPHNet), a professional and research network of expert centers dedicated to advancing the care of children with pulmonary hypertension.
Our Specialists
The Pulmonary Hypertension Service at Lurie Children’s is made up of four physicians and one nurse practitioner.
Amanda L. Hauck, MD
Attending Physician, Cardiology; Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Steven Lestrud, MD
Medical Director, Respiratory Care; Attending Physician, Critical Care and Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Keira R. Nassetta, MD
Director, Medical Student Clerkship, Pediatric Cardiology; Attending Physician, Cardiology
Nicolas F. Porta, MD
Attending Physician, Neonatology; Co-Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program; Associate Director, Lurie Children’s NICU
Catherine Dziedzic, DNP, APRN-NP, CPNP-PC
Advanced Practice Provider, Inpatient Cardiology
Kelly Kerwin, RN
Registered Nurse