OnlineMedEd: Intern Content - "Pulmonary Hypertension"

Question 1

How do cardiologists approach pHTN?

Answer 1

1) Echo shows pHTN
- – Workup for reversible causes (II, III, IV)
2) Trial CCB. If it causes dilation of the PAs, then treat with this. (Note: only 5% of cases are like this.)
3) Trial other drugs if CCB doesn’t work.

Question 2

How do you work up WHO grade II pHTN?

Answer 2

2D echocardiography

Question 3

How do you work up WHO grade III pHTN?

Answer 3

• COPD: 
   -CXR
   - PFTs 
• ILD: 
   - CT 
•OSA: 
   - Polysomnography

Question 4

How do you work up WHO grade IV pHTN?

Answer 4

CTPE

Question 5

What are signs and symptoms of pHTN?

Answer 5

• Right-sided heart failure (JVD, hepatomegaly, peripheral edema, DOE, PND, orthopnea)
• CXR showing increased pulmonary vasculature
• Echocardiography (showing pHTN or tricuspid regurgitation)