Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets
08:08

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets

Published on: May 11, 2015

14.7K

Gestational pulmonary arterial hypertension

Matthew Moll1, Julie G Payne2, Melissa H Tukey2

  • 1Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Pulmonary Circulation
|December 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This case study details a unique instance of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that resolved after pregnancy termination. The condition recurred with subsequent pregnancies, highlighting a potential link between gestation and PAH.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Reproductive Medicine

Background:

  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe, progressive vascular disease with poor prognosis.
  • Pregnancy significantly increases mortality risk in women with PAH due to physiological stress.
  • Idiopathic PAH in adults typically shows irreversible progression.

Observation:

  • A case of idiopathic PAH in a woman of child-bearing age is presented.
  • The PAH spontaneously resolved after termination of a pregnancy.
  • The condition recurred during two subsequent pregnancies.

Findings:

  • This case represents the first reported instance of spontaneous PAH resolution in an adult.
  • Pulmonary hypertension was isolated to the gestational periods.
  • Pregnancy termination led to PAH remission, with recurrence upon subsequent pregnancies.

Implications:

  • Suggests a potential transient or pregnancy-induced component in some adult PAH cases.
  • Highlights the critical need for careful management of pregnancy in women with PAH.
  • Opens avenues for research into the mechanisms linking pregnancy and PAH development/remission.

Keywords:
gestationpregnancypulmonary arterial hypertensionpulmonary vascular diseaseresolution

More Related Videos

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice08:02

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice

Published on: October 19, 2013

19.1K
Left Atrial Stenosis Induced Pulmonary Venous Arterialization and Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension in Rat08:34

Left Atrial Stenosis Induced Pulmonary Venous Arterialization and Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension in Rat

Published on: November 18, 2018

7.8K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis01:30

Pulmonary 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...
838
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists01:23

Treatment 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.
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...
602
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists01:18

Treatment 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...
552
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
1.2K
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors01:28

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are potent enzymes that function to hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides to their corresponding 5' monophosphates. Their unique biochemical properties have been applied in treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
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...
728
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure01:16

Treatment 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,...
739