title: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: its effects upon the heart and lungs.
abstract: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most significant sequelae of prematurity, affecting the pulmonary and cardiovascular structures especially. From the first weeks of life, there exists a close anatomical and functional relationship between these two systems. Changes in intrathoracic pressure or pulmonary vascular resistance greatly impact both the left and right sides of the heart. In turn, increasing afterload and decreasing preload affect blood flow through the lung, as well as the state of oxygenation and ventilation. BPD affects the function, growth, and development of the heart and lung, due to the hypoxia, acidosis, hyperoxia, and fibrosis associated with the fibroproliferative repair process. Significance of clinical findings and the role of the bedside caregiver are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Health Science Center School of Nursing, University of Texas Houston 77030, USA. tverklan@son1.nur.uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Verklan
mesh_terms: D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000196:embryology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation