title: A documented episode of pulmonary vasoconstriction in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: Severe paroxysmal pulmonary hypertension with increased pulmonary vascular resistance precipitated by exposure to cold is postulated as the mechanism causing dyspnea and cardiopulmonary arrest in a patient with systemic sclerosis. Multiple exposures to cold air and a 0 degree C saline infusion resulted in the acute onset of dyspnea and peripheral vasoconstriction. Pressure readings from a Swann-Ganz catheter in place during the saline-induced dyspneic attack showed significant elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance, suggesting that pulmonary vasospasm caused the attack.
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D002302:Cardiac Output; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014661:Vasoconstriction