IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY ARTERY HYPERTENSION

Course overview

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, ALSO KNOWN AS IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY ARTERY HYPERTENSION (IPAH), IS A PROGRESSIVE DISEASE THAT AFFECTS THE PRECAPILLARY PULMONARY VASCULATURE FOR WHICH AN EXACT UNDERLYING RISK FACTOR IS UNKNOWN. THE PULMONARY ARTERY PRESSURE IS PERSISTENTLY MORE THAN 25 MMHG AT REST AND MORE THAN 30 MMHG DURING EXERCISE. IT IS A RARE BUT FATAL DISEASE THAT HAS A HIGH MORTALITY. IF LEFT UNTREATED, IT MAY RESULT IN INCREASING BACK PRESSURES AND ULTIMATELY RIGHT HEART FAILURE AND DEATH. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CAUSE, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND PRESENTATION OF IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM.