| Pulmonary hypertension: a review of the pathobiological & pathophysiological effects |
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MARINNA SCARLETT, CLARENCE McGAW and ALTHEA AQUART-STEWART Marinna Scarlett and Clarence McGaw, Lecturers, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care and Althea Aquart-Stewart, Consultant Pulmonologist, Department of Internal Medicine, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, JamaicaPulmonary hypertension is defined as a systolic pulmonary artery pressure above 30 mmHg and a mean pulmonary arterial pressure above 25 mmHg. Pulmonary hypertensive diseases encompass a myriad of conditions that cause pulmonary hypertension. They are complex conditions that are difficult to treat; in the case of primary pulmonary hypertension there is no cure. Dyspnoea on exertion is the main symptom. This usually worsens as the disease progresses and can lead to syncope as a result of right ventricular failure. Prostacyclin has been the mainstay of treatment for decades, but several new drugs and alternative methods of treatment are available. Read More >>> |
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