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Pulmonary Hypertension - Issue Description

Issue Name

Pulmonary Hypertension

Other Names
PH

Issue Description

Is an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, or pulmonary capillaries, together known as the lung vasculature, leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms, all of which are exacerbated by exertion. Pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with a markedly decreased exercise tolerance and heart failure.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension include shortness of breath, hyperventilation, fatigue, weakness which progresses, fainting, dizziness, coughing up blood.

Causes

Possible causes include increased blood viscosity (eg, polycythemia), increased pulmonary blood flow (eg, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, or atrial septal defect), and decreased overall cross-sectional area of the pulmonary vascular bed (such as caused by pulmonary arterial wall hypertrophy with heartworm disease, stenosis of pulmonary artery branches, pulmonary thromboembolism, or pulmonary vasoconstriction). Primary pulmonary hypertension is rare in dogs. In cattle, the most common cause is hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction caused by dwelling at high altitude (High-mountain Disease). Chronic ingestion of locoweed ( Oxytropis and Astragalus spp ), or chronic pulmonary disease caused by bronchopneumonia or lungworm infestation can also result in cor pulmonale (brisket disease).

Treatment

Treatment is typically unrewarding and the prognosis is poor. The best chance for a successful outcome is when the underlying disease can be identified and treated.

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