Description
High blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This elevation in the pressure makes the right side of the heart work harder, and can cause the heart to fail. It can result from a problem in the pulmonary vessels themselves (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension), or from a problem outside the vessels (Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension). Secondary causes include: pulmonary embolus, COPD, autoimmune diseases, CHF, and sleep apnea.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath during activity, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, fainting, light-headedness during exercise, dizziness, leg swelling.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. This problem is usually first detected by echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). Tests to establish the diagnosis and reveal a secondary cause of the pulmonary hypertension include: right heart catheterization, echocardiogram, lung biopsy, and/or pulmonary function test.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, D-Dimer, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Right heart catheterization, echocardiogram, lung biopsy, pulmonary function test
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Pulmonology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. This problem is usually first detected by echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). Tests to establish the diagnosis and reveal a secondary cause of the pulmonary hypertension include: right heart catheterization, echocardiogram, lung biopsy, and/or pulmonary function test.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, D-Dimer, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Right heart catheterization, echocardiogram, lung biopsy, pulmonary function test
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Pulmonology
Treatment
There is no known cure. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms. Medicines used include: ambrisentan (Letairis), bosentan/Tracleer, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, sildenafil (Viagra), and/or prostacyclin. Patients with low oxygen levels will receive oxygen. Severe cases may need a lung or heart/lung transplant.