Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic

Pulmonary hypertension affects hundreds of people in Western Canada

The Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic that provides care for patients, while leading research into cost-effective management of this disease. Pulmonary Hypertension is a severe and debilitating disease that affects the blood vessels of the lungs, causing constriction and thickening of the pulmonary arteries. It causes obstruction of the blood inflow to the lungs from the right heart chambers and results in a severe strain and dilatation of the right chambers of the heart. It is often hereditary, particularly affecting women in their mid 30s.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic supports the diagnosis and management of patients and serves as a referral centre for northern Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan, as well as the Northwest Territories and Yukon. The team includes a cardiologist, pulmonologist, rheumatologist, radiologist, endocrinologist, adult congenital heart disease specialist, advanced nurse practitioner, doctorate-level pharmacist, social worker, dietician, and psychologist.

Currently, the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic is located at the University of Alberta Hospital but will move to the heart institute later this year.

Referral Information
Adult patients are referred to the clinic through his/her family physician or specialist.
To refer a patient, physicians may fax an informal letter with the patient's most recent assessment information, any diagnostic concerns, and patient contact information to (780) 407-3374.

Physicians are also encouraged to contact the clinic's nurse practitioner and manager, Linda Webster, for an initial consultation and to coordinate preliminary diagnostic testing.

At the clinic, patients are seen by the clinical director Dr. Evangelos Michelakis, and the co-director Dr. Dale Lien.

Contact Information for Patients
Once the referral is received by the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic, patients are contacted by clinic staff to set an appointment date. If the patient needs to reschedule, he or she contacts the clinic directly at (780) 407-8994.

Location
The Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic is located on the second floor within the Cardiology Clinic at 2C2 on the south-west side of the Walter C. Mackenzie Centre, near the waterfall and teahouse. Please see the Level 2 map, for more information and see the University of Alberta Hospital's Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic website.

Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic
2C2.14, Walter C. Mackenzie Centre
8440 - 112 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2B7

Parking
Public parking is available at metered, underground, surface, and parkade lots on site. For information on hourly, weekly, and monthly parking, as well as locations, please see the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute information sheet.

Important Patient Information

• How long is the appointment?
  Depending on the number of tests that you may have, the length of the first visit may take up to 60 minutes. Follow-up visits may last anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes.
• What do I need to bring to the appointment?
  • your most current list medications.
  • adequate oxygen to last you for the duration of your appointment, as well as travel time.
  • proper footwear for the diagnostic testing. Avoid wearing dress shoes and sandals.

About pulmonary hypertension
Many people affected by pulmonary hypertension are able to lead productive and satisfying lives, in part because of advances in medical care and treatments. It is important that those affected by this illness keep themselves informed about the problem and understand the available treatments to improve their health and quality of life. They need to know that, without treatment, pulmonary hypertension can be a life-threatening illness.

Where can I find more information?
Capital Health and other organizations support online resources on pulmonary hypertension, as well as heart health. These resources should be used as a general guideline only. Individual assessment, interpretations, and advice by your cardiologist should always be your most important resource.

For more information, please see:

• Pulmonary hypertension (PDF)
  This page includes information on:
  • What is pulmonary hypertension?
  • What causes pulmonary hypertension?
  • Is all pulmonary hypertension the same?
  • How is pulmonary hypertension diagnosed?
  • Symptoms
  • How is pulmonary hypertension treated?
  • What can I expect?
  • What can I do to take care of myself?
• Pulmonary Hypertension Association
• Heart School: Education resources
• Recommended resources: Visit these web sites for more information about your heart and cardiovascular health.