Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Program

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disorder that results from abnormalities with the body’s cilia. This means that the microscopic tubular structures, called “cilia”, that line the larger airways within the lung do not move (ciliary immotility), move abnormally (ciliary dyskinesia), or are absent (aplasia). 

For rare disorders such as PCD, it is important to consider the experience of your treatment team. Centers such as National Jewish Health that routinely see and treat patients with PCD have the privilege of being up to date with current treatment strategies and potential treatment options in research phases. We at National Jewish Health also have proven experience in treating bronchiectasis, which is a typical feature of patients with PCD.

View Bronchiectasis Treatment Program

  

Treatment for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)

National Jewish Health is committed to a team effort with respiratory therapist (RT), nurses, and physicians working closely together to coordinate a comprehensive individualized treatment plan for each patient. We also believe in a close working relationship with The Children’s Hospital in Denver where fellow PCD experts practice and engage in research. Together we as a community strive to provide exceptional care to those facing the disease of PCD and its associated conditions.

 

Associated Conditions

  • Rhinosinusitis and otitis
  • Cardiac abnormalities
  • Pyloric stenosis
  • Epispadia
  • Pectus excavatum
  • Scoliosis
  • Humoral immunodeficiency
  • Infertility or decreased fertility

 

National Jewish Health (NJH) is one of the few centers in the country to be an accredited Clinical and Research Network Center through the PCD Foundation. This involvement allows the NJH PCD Program to be involved in PCD Foundation meetings, research strategy, development of treatments, and data collection through the PCDF Registry. To learn more about the PCD Foundation and its registry, please use the below links:

 

Team

Adult Site Director, PCD Foundation: Hilda Metjian, MD, FCCP

Adult Site Co-Director, PCD Foundation: Steven Lommatzsch, MD

Physicians: Jane Gross, MD, PhD, David Ferraro, MD, Hilda Metjian, MD, FCCP,  Steven Lommatzsch, MD

RNs and MA: Melonie Arthur and Josh McFerrin

Respiratory Therapists: Cheryl Torres, Whitney Johnson and Byron Green

 

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Clinical Trials

For more than 100 years, National Jewish Health has been committed to finding new treatments and cures for diseases. Search our clinical trials.

Reasons to Choose National Jewish Health

  • The leading respiratory hospital in the nation and the only one devoted fully to the treatment of respiratory and related illnesses

  • Ranked #1 or #2 in Pulmonology by U.S. News & World Report for 26 consecutive years

  • Ranked in the top 5% of hospitals in the nation by HCAHPS

  • Physicians consistently recognized among the best in the nation by multiple services, including Best Doctors in America and Castle Connolly

  • Among the top 6% of organizations funded for research by the NIH, providing patients access to hundreds of active clinical trials

  • 124-year history of focus on care, research and education serving patients from around the world with lung, heart, immune and related disorders