Pulmonary hypertension in chronic lung disease and hypoxia

Eur Respir J. 2019 Jan 24;53(1):1801914. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01914-2018. Print 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) frequently complicates the course of patients with various forms of chronic lung disease (CLD). CLD-associated PH (CLD-PH) is invariably associated with reduced functional ability, impaired quality of life, greater oxygen requirements and an increased risk of mortality. The aetiology of CLD-PH is complex and multifactorial, with differences in the pathogenic sequelae between the diverse forms of CLD. Haemodynamic evaluation of PH severity should be contextualised within the extent of the underlying lung disease, which is best gauged through a combination of physiological and imaging assessment. Who, when, if and how to screen for PH will be addressed in this article, as will the current state of knowledge with regard to the role of treatment with pulmonary vasoactive agents. Although such therapy cannot be endorsed given the current state of findings, future studies in this area are strongly encouraged.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / epidemiology*
  • Hypoxia / complications*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / complications*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents