Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension is the term used to describe a group of disorders characterized by abnormally high pressures in the pulmonary arteries. Initial evaluation is focused on identifying the cause, which helps guide appropriate treatment. Pulmonary hypertension is often a feature of advanced common diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and left heart disease, and treatment is focused primarily on the underlying disease. More rarely, pulmonary hypertension results from chronic organized thromboemboli or a primary vasculopathy. The former requires evaluation for surgical intervention, and the latter is treated with advanced medical therapies.