Greater understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension has led to significant advances in therapy for this disease. In addition, the publication of the American College of Chest Physicians’ (ACCP’s) evidence-based treatment guidelines in Chest in 2004 has aided physicians somewhat in treatment decisions. Nevertheless, treatment remains very complicated because patients respond [...]
The Pulmonary Circulation The pulmonary circulation performs an extremely important function (FIGURE. Anatomy of the pulmonary circulatory system): it brings blood into close proximity to alveolar air sacs within the lungs to allow gaseous exchanges (transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide). Oxygen-deficient blood (dark red in color) is pumped from the right ventricle of the [...]
Pulmonary hypertension is a very complex condition characterized by nonspecific signs and symptoms that results from multiple causes, making diagnosis extremely difficult. In a healthy individual, the mean pulmonary artery pressure, at sea level, lies between 12 and 16 mm Hg. pulmonary hypertension is generally defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure higher than 25 [...]
