Hemodynamic Changes in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

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Hemodynamic Changes in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension
The article clearly defines how hemodynamic changes contribute to pulmonary hypertension and the medication complications associated with the PH drugs. The main shortcoming of the article is that it does not address the technical aspects that define the condition. It fails to give the hemodynamic figures used in diagnosing the PH. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to a hemodynamic state that is characterized by a mean pulmonary pressure of 25 mm Hg and above at resting point. It is defined by chronic elevation PAH and PVR eventually resulting in ventricular enlargement and hypertrophy. Since the definition of PH is based on hemodynamic criteria, it is caused by various diseases and conditions. It may be caused by respiratory and cardiac diseases. PH is classified into various categories based on the clinical characteristics and pathophysiology. PAH diagnosis is determined by assessing whether the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) is over 25 mmHg or whether the filling pressure of the left ventricular does not exceed 15 mmHg (Steele, et a. 9-12).
According to Steele et al. (2010), it is often difficult to differentiate between PAP and PVH. The main diagnosis approach for PH is conducting a right heart catheterization (RHC). RHC is vital in providing valuable diagnostic information that can differentiate PAH and PVH. Several hemodynamic values are vital in providing the prognosis value of idiopathic PAH.

The hemodynamic parameters include mean PAP, right arterial pressure (RAP) and cardiac index. It has been established that a RAP of more than is associated with high mortality rate if no treatment is administered within six months. Many pulmonary and cardiac disorders contribute to abnormal PAP increase. PH is the third most common cardiovascular disorder after systemic hypertension and coronary heart disease. The issue of complications in PH medication is a major issue that is addressed in the article. Despite the fact that many drugs for the treatment and management of PH have been approved, the only drug that has demonstrated short-term survival benefit is epoprostenol. It has better efficacy compared to conventional therapy. However, infections and pump malfunctions hinder the use of epoprostenol (Steele, et a. 11-16).
Works Cited
Steele, Peter, Geoff Strange, John Wlodarczyk, Brad Dalton, Simon Stewart, Eli Gabbay, and
Anne Keogh. “Hemodynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): do they explain long-term clinical outcomes with PAH-specific therapy?.” BMC cardiovascular disorders 10, no. 1 (2010): 9.