Information for the public
What has NICE said?
There is the potential for serious complications with balloon pulmonary angioplasty, but it works well enough for use in the NHS for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in whom pulmonary endarterectomy (open surgery) isn't an option.
There is not much good evidence about how well this procedure works for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in whom pulmonary endarterectomy is an option. It should only be used in such patients if extra care is taken to explain the risks, and extra steps are put in place to record and review what happens.
What does this mean for me?
If you have chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary endarterectomy isn't an option, your health professional should fully explain what is involved in having this procedure and discuss the possible benefits and risks with you. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. All of this should happen before you decide whether you want to have this procedure or not. Your health professional should ask you if details of your procedure can be collected.
If you have chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary endarterectomy is an option, your health professional should fully explain what is involved in having this procedure and discuss the possible benefits and risks with you. In particular, they should explain the uncertainty about the evidence on how likely it is to improve your symptoms and possible side effects. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. You should only be asked if you want to agree to this procedure after having this discussion. Your health professional should ask you if details of your procedure can be collected.