Balloon pulmonary angioplasty

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an emerging minimally invasive procedure to treat chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in people who are not suitable for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) or still have residual pulmonary hypertension and areas of narrowing in the pulmonary arterial tree following previous PTE.

The procedure uses balloons to open pulmonary arteries that have been narrowed or blocked by webs, bands and fibrous tissue and therefore restores blood flow to the lungs, reduces shortness of breath, and improves exercise tolerance. More data on its safety and effectiveness are still required.