Interv Akut Kardiol. 2014;13(3):138-140

Management of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Hikmet Al-Hiti, Adrian Reichenbach, Vojtěch Melenovský

Klinika kardiologie IKEM, Praha

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as an abnormal increase in pulmonary artery pressure, i.e. a mean pulmonary artery pressure

(mPAP) ≥ 25 mm Hg. It can occur as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) when the pulmonary vessels are involved or it can be due to a

secondary cause as a result of chronic heart failure, respiratory disease, or other aetiology. PAH is caused by increased pulmonary vascular

resistance (precapillary form of PH) with an increase in pulmonary artery pressure and normal left atrial pressure or pulmonary artery

occluded pressure. Current pharmacotherapy of PAH includes calcium channel blockers, prostanoids, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors,

or endothelin receptor antagonists. Treatment with high doses of calcium channel blockers is only indicated in patients with a positive

acute vasoreactivity test result. In the case of a negative vasoreactivity test result, modern therapy is indicated.

Keywords: prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

Published: October 1, 2014  Show citation