title: Lung function in pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: Breathlessness is a common symptom in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and an important cause of morbidity. Though this has been attributed to the well described pulmonary vascular abnormalities and subsequent cardiac remodelling, changes in the airways of these patients have also been reported and may contribute to symptoms. Our understanding of these airway abnormalities is poor with conflicting findings in many studies. The present review evaluates these studies for the major PH groups. In addition we describe the role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by evaluating cardiopulmonary interaction during exercise. As yet, the reasons for the abnormalities in lung function are unclear, but potential causes and the possible role of inflammation are discussed. Future research is required to provide a better understanding of this to help improve the management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: andytlow@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: North Bristol Lung Centre, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: a.medford@rcpe.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A R L
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Medford
authors.affiliation: Academic Respiratory Unit, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: ann.millar@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: robert.tulloh@UHBristol.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: R M R
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tulloh
mesh_terms: D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
keywords: Congenital heart disease; Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension; Inflammation; Lung function tests; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Pulmonary hypertension