The Intern At Work: Internal Medicine

36. The Little Ventricle That Could- Pulmonary Hypertension

7 snips
Sep 8, 2019
Delve into the classifications, diagnostic procedures, and management strategies for pulmonary hypertension in this episode. Learn about the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic workup for guiding treatment decisions.
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INSIGHT

WHO Pulmonary Hypertension Groups

  • Pulmonary hypertension is classified into five WHO groups based on underlying heart-lung circuit pathology.
  • Each group has distinct causes including vascular resistance, left heart disease, lung disorders, thromboembolism, and miscellaneous causes.
INSIGHT

Right Ventricle Response to Pressure

  • The right ventricle adapts to increased pressure by remodeling and dilation but can fail when oxygen demand surpasses supply.
  • This failure results in right-sided heart failure or cor pulmonale, a key consequence of pulmonary hypertension.
ADVICE

Clinical Assessment Tips

  • Use history and physical exam to assess pulmonary hypertension severity and underlying causes.
  • Look for clues like left heart disease, lung disease, connective tissue disorders, drugs, and thromboembolic history.
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