Treatment of pediatric pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension was once thought to be a rare condition and only managed in specialized centers. Now however, with the advent of echocardiography, it is found in many clinical scenarios, in the neonate with chronic lung disease, in the acute setting in the intensive care unit, in connective tissue disease and in cardiology pre- and postoperatively. We have a better understanding of the pathological process and have a range of medication which is starting to be able to palliate this previously fatal condition. This review describes the areas that are known in this condition and those that are less familiar. The basic physiology behind pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular disease is explained. The histopathologic process and the various diagnostic tools are described and are followed by the current and future therapy at our disposal.
Hawkins
Amy
A
Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol BS2 8BJ, UK.
Tulloh
Robert
R
D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D004452:Echocardiography; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D044062:Prostaglandins I / Q000819:agonists; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000502:physiology
D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D044062:Prostaglandins I; D009569:Nitric Oxide