[Treatment of perioperative arterial hypertension]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition frequently associated to many cardiovascular diseases and can become a complication in the postoperative period. The success of the treatment depends of the preoperative assessment, an adequate anesthetic and surgical technique and appropriate use of drugs during and after surgery. The presence of PH during the postoperative period can compromise right ventricular function, left ventricular filling and, hence, global perfusion. In recent years, administration of nitric oxide (NO) has been useful for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions associated to pulmonary hypertension. In this paper, we review the current strategies for the management of this condition.