When cure is care: diagnosis and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to provide nurse practitioners with an understanding of the pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) disease, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation, drug therapy, strategies for health promotion, and relevant care issues for patients and families.


METHODS
Selected clinical and research articles, as well as current government guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms expressed are more apparent as PAH disease progresses, leaving fewer treatment options in advanced disease stages. New drugs are currently being tested for the treatment of PAH; however, the costs of many of the currently approved treatments may be prohibitive.


CONCLUSIONS
Earlier recognition of disease symptoms leads to prompt initiation of diagnostic evaluation and referral to specializing medical centers. Upon referral, specialty centers may begin appropriate treatment regimens earlier in the disease process, which could improve clinical outcomes and quality of life.
Widmar
Brian
B
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, USA. Brybri2@aol.com
D000241:Adenosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077300:Bosentan; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016285:Iloprost / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000241:Adenosine; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000077300:Bosentan; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D011464:Epoprostenol; D005277:Fenfluramine; D016285:Iloprost; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014665:Vasodilator Agents