Primary pulmonary hypertension and pregnancy

Despite the preponderance of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in young female subjects, documented cases of PPH in association with pregnancy are uncommon. During a 12-month period, 73 female patients with PPH were evaluated as potential recipients of a heart-lung transplant; and in six (8 percent), PPH appeared to be related to pregnancy. Histologic confirmation of the diagnosis was available in four patients, and other causes of pulmonary hypertension were excluded as far as possible in the remaining two patients.