Caveat medicus! Pulmonary hypertension in the elderly: a word of caution.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common but under-recognized cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH), particularly among the elderly. While elevated pulmonary artery pressures are clearly associated with increased mortality in HFpEF, it remains unknown whether or how pulmonary vascular disease in HFpEF should be treated. This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for HFpEF in elderly patients presenting with PH and illustrates potential hazards associated with selective pulmonary vasodilation in this growing population.
Boilson
Barry A
BA
The Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Schirger
John A
JA
Borlaug
Barry A
BA
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009599:Nitroprusside; D009569:Nitric Oxide