Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets
Published on: May 11, 2015
Scope of problem of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Paul D Stein1, Fadi Matta1, Patrick G Hughes2
1Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing.
Background:
As with many uncommon diseases, data in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension are sparse in regard to emergency service visits, hospitalizations, and mortality. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the scope of the problem of Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults in the US and trends from 2001 to 2007.
Methods:
The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, 2007-2011, was used to determine the number of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality of patients aged ≥18 years with Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension. We assessed patients with a discharge code for "primary pulmonary hypertension," and excluded patients with known causes of pulmonary hypertension that are not classified as Group 1.
Results:
There were 64,451 emergency department visits and 52,779 hospitalizations for pulmonary arterial hypertension from 2007-2011 in patients aged ≥18 years. The proportion of all emergency department visits that were for pulmonary arterial hypertension decreased from 16.4/100,000 visits in 2007 to 8.9/100,000 visits in 2011 (P < .0001). The proportion of all hospitalizations that were for pulmonary arterial hypertension decreased from 79/100,000 hospitalizations in 2007 to 38/100,000 hospitalizations in 2011 (P < .0001). Population-based death rates in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension decreased from 4.6/million population in 2007 to 1.7/million population in 2011 (P < .0001).
Conclusions:
Decreasing rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in patients with Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension were shown from 2007-2011. We speculate that this resulted from improved treatment during the period of observation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
01:16Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
01:28Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
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...
01:18Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
01:26Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
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...