Primary pulmonary hypertension associated with HIV infection

A Haitian woman with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presented with dyspnea, cough, fatigue and lower abdominal pain of recent onset. Clinical, radiologic and hemodynamic investigations demonstrated pulmonary hypertension. The patient died a few days later. The pathological findings were compatible with primary pulmonary hypertension. This case is similar to others that have been reported and indicates a possible link between HIV infection and rapidly progressive primary pulmonary hypertension.