Pulmonary Hypertension

Question 1

What is normal pulmonary artery pressure?

Answer 1

25 mmHg

Question 2

What pressure within the pulmonary artery is considered pulmonary hypertension?

Answer 2

> 30 mmHg

Question 3

What is the pressure range for mild PHT?

Answer 3

30-50 mmHg

Question 4

What is the pressure range for moderate PHT?

Answer 4

50-75 mmHg

Question 5

What is the pressure range for severe PHT?

Answer 5

> 75 mmHg

Question 6

Disease of the pulmonary arteries is considered ____ PHT.

Answer 6

Precapillary

Question 7

Disease of the pulmonary veins is considered ____ PHT.

Answer 7

Postcapillary

Question 8

What 2 main changes happen within the heart with PHT and are noticeable on echo?

Answer 8

1. Right ventricular hypertrophy
2. Right ventricular dilation
3. Main pulmonary artery enlargement

Question 9

What is the etiology of right heart failure associated with pulmonary hypertension?

Answer 9

Too much afterload

Question 10

What signalment would you expect with PHT?

Answer 10

Older, small breed dog

Question 11

What clinical signs would you associate with PHT?

Answer 11

1. Exercise intolerance

2. Syncope

Question 12

What type of murmur would you hear with PHT?

Answer 12

No murmur / soft murmur

Question 13

What type of changes would you expect in thoracic radiographs with PHT?

Answer 13

1. RV enlargement

2. Pulmonary artery distension

Question 14

The velocity of blood flow is determined by a pressure gradient. What is the PG equal to?

Answer 14

4 x velocity^2

Question 15

What stage of the heartworm is infective?

Answer 15

L3

Question 16

What life stage(s) of the heartworm is/are susceptible to heartworm preventatives?

Answer 16

L3 and L4

Question 17

What life stage(s) of the heartworm is/are susceptible to Marlarsomine?

Answer 17

Mature adults

Question 18

To which life stage of the heartworm is the antibody test responsive?

Answer 18

L4

Question 19

To which life stage of the heartworm is the antigen test responsive?

Answer 19

Mature adult (female)

Question 20

If a heartworm antigen test comes up positive, what test should you run next?

Answer 20

Microfilaria test

Question 21

As it pertains to heartworm disease, what are 4 possible complications and their therapeutic interventions?

Answer 21

1. Eosinophilic pneumonitis (prednisone)
2. Pulmonary vascular disease (sildenafil)
3. R-CHF (furosemide, pimobendan, enalapril, spironolactone)
4. Caval syndrome (surgical HW extraction)