[Clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of pulmonary hypertension]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complicated, yet poorly studied problem of modern medicine. A combined clinico-instrumental study of clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of the PH syndrome of varying origins has substantiated nosological independence of primary PH. PH associated with vasculitis, primarily affecting the lungs, is described. Differential-diagnostic criteria of primary and chronic post-embolic PH are presented. Mechanisms of PH development and progress, and those of heart failure associated with chronic pulmonary obstructive diseases and congenital heart defects are discussed. PH classifications are proposed.