Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
08:34
Left Atrial Stenosis Induced Pulmonary Venous Arterialization and Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension in Rat
Published on: November 18, 2018
7.3K
Pulmonary arterial hypertension in the elderly population
Chang-Ying Chen1, Cheng-Chung Hung1, Cheng-Hung Chiang1,2,3
1Department of critical care medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
|November 11, 2021
Summary
Elderly patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) face diagnostic challenges and poorer outcomes. This review highlights their distinct characteristics compared to younger PAH patients, emphasizing increased mortality risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) demographics have shifted, with increasing diagnoses in elderly individuals.
- Limited research exists on the specific characteristics and challenges of PAH in older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the features of elderly PAH patients with those of younger patients.
- To review the diagnostic difficulties and treatment outcomes in elderly PAH patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies comparing elderly and young PAH patients.
- Analysis of demographic trends, diagnostic challenges, treatment regimens, and survival rates.
Main Results:
- The mean age of PAH patients has increased over time.
- Elderly patients present diagnostic challenges, particularly differentiating PAH from diastolic heart failure.
- Older individuals receive combination therapy less frequently and show poorer treatment responses.
- Elderly PAH patients experience significantly worse survival rates compared to younger counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients with PAH represent a growing demographic with unique clinical considerations.
- Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies need to be adapted for the aging PAH population.
- Poorer survival in elderly PAH patients necessitates further research into optimized management and prognostic models.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
322
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...
322
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
24
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
24
01:16Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
377
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,...
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
377
01:28Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
274
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...
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...
274
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
10
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are...
10
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
18
In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
18