Complications of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

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Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition involving a tightening of the blood vessels within and around the lungs. When the blood vessels lose their elasticity, it becomes harder for the heart to pump blood into the lungs to receive oxygen. The stiffer the blood vessels become, the higher the blood pressure becomes until it reaches a dangerous level. Attempting to pump blood through the hardened arteries overworks the heart and can cause heart failure.

Also known as primary pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension can develop many complications, some life-threatening. One dangerous complication that may be experienced by individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension is cor pulmonale, which is a condition in which the right ventricle of the heart enlarges and, in time, fails. The condition begins when the right side of the heart has to work harder to get blood through the pulmonary arteries. The walls of the heart thicken and the chamber of the heart widens to hold more blood. This works for a short while, but then the strain on the heart causes heart failure.

Another serious complication associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension is the development of blood clots in the arteries of the lungs. Blood clots can cause stiffened blood vessels to narrow even further, can flow to the heart and cause a pulmonary embolism, or can flow to the brain and cause a stroke. A condition called polycythemia is another blood disorder associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension. In polycythemia, an individual’s bone marrow increases the production of red blood cells to move more oxygen through the blood. This causes the blood to become thick and increases the chances of the individual developing blood clots.

A potentially life-threatening condition occurs when pulmonary arterial hypertension causes a disorder called pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema is when the increased blood pressure of the lungs forces fluids out of the capillaries of the lungs and into the air sacs located in the lungs. When the lung’s air sacs are filled with fluid, they are unable to eliminate carbon dioxide and supply the body with oxygen. If the condition remains untreated, the individual may technically drown.

In many cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension, the blood pressure will build to such a high level that the arteries will fail and may cause serious heart valve damage or heart failure. In either case, immediate emergency medical treatment is needed to save the life of the individual. If the heart valves are damaged, the only option for repair is a surgical heart valve replacement. There are no medications available that can cure these conditions.

It is estimated that the median survival time after a patient receives a diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is about 5 years, with the cause of death most often being cor pulmonale. This is about 3 years longer than the survival rate of 15 years ago. Due to earlier diagnosis, new drug therapies, and better overall care, the outcomes of many cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension have changed dramatically.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Resources

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH ) occurs when the blood pressure of the pulmonary artery increases to dangerous levels. Also known as primary pulmonary hypertension ( PPH ) in the older medical journals, pulmonary arterial hypertension is considered a rare disorder that is difficult to treat and that few patients survive …

Symptoms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - When reviewing the medical history of patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, physicians find that the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension manifest gradually. In some cases, symptoms may take up to ten years to appear ...

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - A diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is only arrived at after a series of tests are performed to ensure that pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not some other disorder, is responsible for the symptoms observed. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is rarely detected while it is still in the early stages ...

Causes of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - There are many causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not all of them are known. Because incidences of pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as primary pulmonary hypertension ( PPH ), are so low, it is difficult to learn about the disease through clinical means ...

Treatments for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Pulmonary arterial hypertension treatments are much more effective when the condition is diagnosed early. Because of the difficulty of treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, doctors need to carefully tailor each treatment program to the needs of the individual. Treating this condition requires numerous follow-ups to determine the best course of treatment, and treatments may be adjusted if they become ineffective ...

Complications of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Also known as primary pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension can develop many complications, some life-threatening. One dangerous complication that may be experienced by individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension is cor pulmonale, which is a condition in which the right ventricle of the heart enlarges and, in time, fails ...

Do I have a Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH) lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension cases in all 50 states.

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