Related Experiment Videos
Primary pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale
Stuart Lehrman1, Patricia Romano, William Frishman
1Departments of Pulmonary Medicine, General Internal Medicine, and Medicine, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.
Cardiology in Review
|September 7, 2002
Summary
Pulmonary hypertension, including primary pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale, stems from lung disease. Treatments focus on underlying causes, with advancements like postacyclin and bosentan improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and cor pulmonale are forms of precapillary pulmonary hypertension.
- These conditions arise from intrinsic lung diseases affecting pulmonary vasculature, airways, or interstitium.
- Patients often exhibit right ventricular dysfunction and low cardiac output, presenting with dyspnea, chest pain, and edema.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of primary pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale.
- To discuss current therapeutic strategies for these pulmonary hypertension conditions.
- To highlight recent advancements in the management of pulmonary hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of primary pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale.
- Analysis of therapeutic approaches, including oxygen, anticoagulation, and vasodilators.
- Evaluation of novel treatments such as postacyclin and bosentan.
Main Results:
- Therapy is tailored to the underlying lung disease.
- Supplemental oxygen and anticoagulation are used for hypoxemia and thrombotic disease, respectively.
- Continuous postacyclin infusion significantly improves survival in PPH, while bosentan offers an oral treatment option.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary hypertension requires management of the underlying lung condition.
- Significant therapeutic advances, including postacyclin and bosentan, have improved outcomes for patients with pulmonary hypertension.
- Further research into pulmonary vascular disorders is warranted.