Ankit Kumar Sahu1, Sudeep Kumar2
In this review, we have discussed pulmonary hypertension including definition,
classification, pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of each
class of PH as per latest available data and guidelines. Pulmonary hypertension is
defined as an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure of ≥ 20 mmHg at rest.
The clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension (as per world health
organization) includes five different classes constructed on the basis of clinical
causes of pulmonary hypertension. The main pathophysiology involved in the
development of pulmonary hypertension of all types is prolonged pulmonary
vasoconstriction caused by multiple factors which ultimately leads to pulmonary
vascular remodelling (structural as well as functional). The primary treatment of
pulmonary hypertension comprises of correction/control of underlying cause of
pulmonary hypertension. The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension is increasing
in developed as well as developing countries and thus its awareness is important
for timely diagnosis and management of this chronic condition. The main aim of
our review is to provide all the necessary information regarding pulmonary
hypertension in one document.
