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Updated: May 10, 2026
08:08
Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets
Published on: May 11, 2015
[Pulmonary hypertension--classification, work-up and treatment]
Charlotte Uggerhøj Andersen1, Lene Dahl Sønderskov, Jens Erik Nielsen-Kudsk
1Klinisk Farmakologisk Afdeling, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Wilhelm Meyers Alle 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. cua@farm.au.dk
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|June 5, 2013
Summary
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition causing breathlessness. Echocardiography aids in early PH detection and classification, guiding treatment for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Diagnostics
Context:
- Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a significant cause of dyspnoea.
- Accurate diagnosis and classification of PH are crucial for effective management.
- Echocardiography is a key non-invasive tool in evaluating patients with suspected PH.
Purpose:
- To highlight the role of echocardiography in detecting pulmonary hypertension.
- To emphasize the importance of correct PH classification for treatment selection.
- To discuss the diagnostic pathway following initial echocardiographic findings of PH.
Summary:
- Pulmonary hypertension is categorized into five groups, with dyspnoea as a primary symptom.
- Echocardiography serves as the optimal non-invasive method for initial PH detection.
- Further investigations are necessary post-echocardiography to confirm diagnosis and classify PH subtypes for tailored treatment.
Impact:
- Early detection and appropriate treatment of PH can improve patient prognosis.
- Surgical intervention offers a potential cure for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
- Integrating echocardiography into dyspnoea evaluation enhances the diagnostic accuracy for PH.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
01:18Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
01:16Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy has emerged as a significant tool in enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While this therapy has principally been studied on patients with significant hypoxemia, this therapeutic approach helps prevent potential organ damage and can be administered in the comfort of one's home.
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
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01:26Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are two critical categories of drugs employed in the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH is a disease that causes high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, resulting in chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
01:28Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
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Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
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