Pulmonary HTN Flashcards
What is pulmonary HTN
Sustained increase of pressure in the pulmonary circuit
How much is this sustained increase in pressure
> 25mmHg
Why is the pulmonary circuit usually safe from HTN
It is an area of low resistance
fairly distributed
if there is an increase of CO there is usually a minimal increase in the pulmonary pressure
What causes the increase in pressure
vasoconstriction
Etiology is primarily what…
cardio and pulm problems
what are the three et categories
- increase in pulm volume (septal defect = increase in blood being pumped to the pulmonary artery)
- hypoxemia (when there is minimal oxygen getting to the lungs they vast constrict to keep what o2 there is = increase in pressure)
- increase in pulm venous pressure (LV disfunction)
Manifestations of Pulm HTN
dyspnea, syncope, chest pain upon exertion
those of R HF
Fatigue
What will a chest X-ray reveal
RV hypertrophy and distended pulmonary arteries
treatment for pulm HTN
fix hypoxemia for a better prognosis
vasodilators (systemic as you can localize dilators)