Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension refers to increased resistance and pressure in the pulmonary arteries. It causes strain on the right side of the heart as it tries to pump blood through the lungs. There is back pressure through the right side of the heart and into the systemic venous system.

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of more than 20  mmHg.

 

Causes

The causes of pulmonary hypertension can be classified into five groups:

  • Group 1Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension or connective tissue disease (e.g., systemic lupus erythematous)
  • Group 2Left heart failure, usually due to myocardial infarction or systemic hypertension
  • Group 3Chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD or pulmonary fibrosis)
  • Group 4Pulmonary vascular disease (e.g., pulmonary embolism)
  • Group 5Miscellaneous causes such as sarcoidosis, glycogen storage disease and haematological disorders

 

Signs and Symptoms

Shortness of breath is the main presenting symptom. Other signs and symptoms include:

  • Syncope (loss of consciousness)
  • Tachycardia
  • Raised jugular venous pressure (JVP)
  • Hepatomegaly
  • Peripheral oedema

 

Investigations

ECG changes indicate right-sided heart strain:

  • P pulmonale (peaked P waves)
  • Right ventricular hypertrophy (tall R waves in V1 and V2 and deep S waves in V5 and V6)
  • Right axis deviation
  • Right bundle branch block

 

Chest x-ray changes include:

  • Dilated pulmonary arteries
  • Right ventricular hypertrophy

 

Other investigations include:

  • Raised NT‑proBNP blood test result indicates right ventricular failure
  • Echocardiogram can be used to estimate the pulmonary artery pressure

 

Management

The prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension is poor, with a mean survival of 2-3 years after the diagnosis if untreated.

Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension may be treated with:

  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Intravenous prostaglandins (e.g., epoprostenol)
  • Endothelin receptor antagonists (e.g., macitentan)
  • Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil)

 

Secondary pulmonary hypertension is managed by treating the underlying cause, such as pulmonary embolism, COPD or systemic lupus erythematosus.

Supportive treatments (e.g., oxygen and diuretics) are used for complications such as respiratory failure, oedema and  arrhythmias.

 

Last updated June 2023