Mae Cornes
Photo Courtesy of Sathish Kumar Krishnan
Pulmonary hypertension remains one of the most challenging and underdiagnosed conditions in respiratory medicine. However, with a well-structured approach and dedicated efforts, significant improvements in access and treatment are possible.
Dr. Sathish Krishnan, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Community Health Network in Indianapolis, has been one of those leading these efforts. His commitment to enhancing specialized care for pulmonary hypertension drives crucial advancements in Indiana’s healthcare terrain.
A System in Need of Transformation
The American healthcare system faces significant challenges in treating pulmonary hypertension, a rare and often fatal disease affecting the arteries in the lungs. With symptoms that mimic more common respiratory conditions, pulmonary hypertension is frequently misdiagnosed or diagnosed late, limiting treatment options. According to a 2019 study published in CHEST, only 257 pulmonary health specialists practice in the United States, a critical shortage given the complexity of the disease.
Dr. Sathish Krishnan has been instrumental in strengthening pulmonary healthcare in Indiana. As a leading figure in developing Community Health Network’s pulmonary hypertension program, he is working toward achieving accreditation as a Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center. If granted, this accreditation would heighten Community Health Network as one of only three adult pulmonary healthcare centers in the state, significantly improving patient access to specialized treatment.
Access Meets Treatment
Many pulmonary hypertension patients, particularly those in rural areas, struggle to access specialized care. The financial burden, combined with a lack of local specialists, results in many patients receiving inadequate or delayed treatment. As a member of the Access to Care task force within the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRi), Dr. Sathish Krishnan has worked on identifying and addressing these disparities.
“Access remains a critical issue—not just in Indiana, but globally,” Dr. Krishnan explains. “We’ve conducted surveys to understand better the barriers that patients and providers face, and the results are telling. Whether it’s financial limitations, lack of awareness, or simply insufficient trained specialists, the outcome is the same: patients are not getting the care they need.”
The PVRi task force convenes every two months, uniting pulmonary hypertension specialists worldwide to brainstorm solutions that expand access to care. One significant initiative involves fostering dialogue with healthcare providers in Africa, where disparities in pulmonary hypertension treatment are even more pronounced. Sathish Krishnan and his colleagues are exploring partnerships that could lead to training programs and knowledge exchange opportunities.
The Science Behind the Change
While improving healthcare infrastructure is crucial, scientific progress remains at the core of better patient outcomes. Dr. Sathish Krishnan is a co-investigator in major clinical trials, including the TETON study—a groundbreaking and stimulating idea investigating the efficacy of inhaled treprostinil for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
These studies, sponsored by United Therapeutics, hold the potential to transform IPF treatment, offering new therapeutic options for a disease with limited interventions. If successful, treprostinil could become a cornerstone in managing IPF, opening doors to newer treatment pathways for pulmonary patients.
The Rift in Pulmonary Care
The healthcare industry is consistently improving with an emphasis on precision medicine, digital health solutions, and patient-centered care. According to Deloitte’s 2024 U.S. Healthcare Outlook, the direction toward integrated care models and data-driven diagnostics is changing the field.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to pulmonary hypertension care. Regulatory requirements, financial limitations, and disparities in healthcare infrastructure continue to hinder the widespread implementation of specialized treatments. Many hospitals and healthcare providers face difficulties securing adequate funding and handling complex administrative policies affecting patient access to emerging therapies.
Efforts to address these issues include policy advocacy, improved insurance frameworks, and continued research into cost-effective treatment solutions. Expanding the number of accredited pulmonary hypertension care centers and increasing physician training opportunities are key to filling what is missing in medical advancements and real-world accessibility.
The Future of Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment
Despite these challenges, Dr. Sathish Krishnan remains committed to expanding specialized care and improving patient outcomes. With the accreditation process progressing steadily, he sees a future where pulmonary hypertension patients in Indiana no longer face limited access to high-quality treatment.
He says, “When pulmonary hypertension patients across Indiana can receive specialized care without the burdens of long travel or lack of availability, then we will have truly made an impact.”
The demand for specialized pulmonary physicians is expected to increase. The contributions of dedicated experts like Dr. Sathish Krishnan are always welcome when advancing treatment protocols. His work reflects the ongoing goal of medical professionals to ensure that patients receive the specialized attention they need, regardless of geographic or financial barriers.