[Decompensated pulmonary hypertension]

Right ventricular failure may result from an newly developed disease (e.g. as a consequence of acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] or of severe pulmonary embolism) or of already present pulmonary hypertension (PHT). There is as yet no generally recognized definition of acute or chronic right ventricular failure. The particular clinical picture and the associated hemodynamics determine this condition. Right ventricular failure in the course of PHT represents a great challenge in clinical and intensive care practice. Once the vicious circle of right heart failure is reached an optimal balance has to be found between preload and afterload. In addition to optimizing blood volume, positive inotropic drugs (e.g. dobutamine) are available to maintain systemic blood pressure. Furthermore an increase in right ventricular contractility by inodilators is aimed at. The central goal in the treatment of right heart failure as part of PHT is to lower pulmonary vascular resistance and thus decrease right ventricular afterload. However, it is very difficult to break the vicious circle involved in the acute right heart syndrome, it must be the primary aim of treatment to recognize as early as possible any worsening of PHT and prevent acute right heart failure. Lung transplantation or surgical atrioseptostomy may represent possible ultimate therapeutic options for patients with PHT.