Pulmonary heart disease: pathophysiology, diagnostic signs, and therapy

The anatomy and physiology of the pulmonary vasculature has been described with emphasis on several types of pulmonary hypertension and their pathophysiology. Treatment of pulmonary hypertension may be successful, especially when disease is related to emboli which respond to anticoagulant therapy. Relief of mitral valve obstruction is usually beneficial. Patients with abnormalities of blood PO2 and pH (especially in chronic obstructive lung disease) may be spared increased pulmonary pressure or may reverse existing pulmonary hypertension by giving up smoking, learning more efficient ventilatory methods, and when indicated, using supplemental oxygen, bronchodilators, digitalis, diuretics, or a combination of these.