Okayama Medical Center (OMC) in Okayama, Japan, celebrates 20 years of expertise in balloon pulmonary angioplastyBalloon Pulmonary Angioplasty Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, or BPA for short, is a technique for widening narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the lungs of CTEPH patients. Small balloons attached to a catheter restore blood flow to areas of the lungs that do not receive blood due to the disease.  When successful, BPA eliminates or reduces shortness of breath, increases exercise tolerance and quality of life, and extends life expectancy. (BPABalloon Pulmonary Angioplasty Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, or BPA for short, is a technique for widening narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the lungs of CTEPH patients. Small balloons attached to a catheter restore blood flow to areas of the lungs that do not receive blood due to the disease.  When successful, BPA eliminates or reduces shortness of breath, increases exercise tolerance and quality of life, and extends life expectancy.) for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertensionChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension CTEPH is short for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels. High blood pressure in the lungs is often also called pulmonary hypertension. (CTEPHChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension CTEPH is short for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels. High blood pressure in the lungs is often also called pulmonary hypertension.). 

Let’s toast to the 20th anniversary of BPA treatments at OMC! Two decades of experience and countless lives transformed—a testament to the OMC team’s commitment to providing the best care for CTEPH patients.

After I was cured of CTEPH, I gave this statement to thank Dr. Matsubara and his team at Okayama Medical Center (OMC). The OMC is home to one of the world’s top CTEPH expert centers with 20 years of experience in BPA treatments. This year, 2024, OMC celebrates the 20th anniversary of BPA treatments.

In 2004, Dr. Matsubara and his team embarked on an innovation journey, experimenting with balloon pulmonary angioplasty to treat patients with chronic thrombotic pulmonary hypertensionPulmonary Hypertension (PH) High pressure in the blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs is called pulmonary hypertension. The arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart are affected by pulmonary hypertension. If untreated, the right side of the heart will weaken over time, eventually leading to heart failure and death. The WHO has defined five distinct groups of pulmonary hypertension, each with a different cause. CTEPH is a form of PH (WHO group 4). - References: mayoclinic.org and cdc.gov. Over the past two decades, under the guidance of Dr. Matsubara, Okayama Medical Center has risen to become one of the world’s leading CTEPH expert centers.

With the hospital’s tremendous experience, BPA at OMC is simple, safe, and effective.

BPA procedures have turned into routine at OMC, where several patients are treated every day. Without much fanfare, skilled doctors insert a catheter into the lungs and open up as many blockages as possible. The goal is to normalize pulmonary artery pressure, returning people to their regular and active lives.

At the end of my 6th BPA: Dr. Sato, Dr. Matsubara, and I, still on a the stretcher in the catheter room.
Big smiles! Dr. Kimi Sato, Dr. Hiromi Matsubara, and I are in Okayama Medical Center’s catheter room at the end of a successful 6th BPA. Their work has given me a new perspective on life. – Photo by OMC and published with permission.

With the hospital’s tremendous experience, BPA at OMC is simple, safe, and effective. I know what I’m talking about. After six BPA procedures at OMC (read about my second BPA procedure here), I am cured. My hemodynamics are back to normal again, and there are no more signs of pulmonary hypertension. 

Thank you, Dr. Matsubara, for having had the courage to develop and refine BPA! My gratitude also goes out to all the early patients who served as guinea pigs for the evolution of modern BPA. Without them, I would never have survived this disease.