Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare but severe condition characterized by persistent obstruction and vascular remodeling in the pulmonary arteries following an acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Although APE is a significant risk factor, up to 25% of CTEPH cases occur without a history of APE or deep vein thrombosis, complicating the understanding of its pathogenesis. Herein, we carried out a narrative review discussing the mechanisms involved in CTEPH development, including fibrotic thrombus formation, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and abnormal angiogenesis, leading to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major concern in patients with Down syndrome (DS) and congenital heart disease (CHD). Understanding the unique characteristics of PAH in these populations is essential for developing tailored management strategies. This review examines differences in PAH between DS and non-DS (nDS) patients with CHD, focusing on pathophysiology, clinical presentation, hemodynamic profiles, and treatment outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcute pulmonary embolism (APE) is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular emergencies and the third leading cause of death. Although efforts focus on treating the acute event, patients who survive APE may develop long-term sequelae. Research reveals that approximately half of patients who have suffered an APE do not regain their previous level of function and experience a reduction in their quality of life for several years after the episode.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis review focuses on Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis (PAM), an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by calcium crystal deposits (microliths) resulting from loss of function of the SLC34A2 gene. PAM is a rare disease with approximately 1100 reported cases globally. The historical context of its discovery and the genetic, epidemiological, and pathophysiological aspects are discussed.
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February 2024
Right heart catheterization (RHC) represents the gold standard diagnostic approach for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Historically, the complication rates of RHC are known to be low. The study aimed to evaluate the indications for performing RHC and the occurrence of adverse events related to the procedure in patients > over 70 years of age in a Mexican Tertiary Care Center.
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January 2024
Curr Probl Cardiol
June 2023
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥20 mm Hg at rest as assessed by right cardiac catheterization. It has a median survival nowadays of 6 years, compared to 2.8 years in the 1980s.
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February 2023
Pulmonary embolism (PE) worldwide is an underdiagnosed disease; at the moment, there are no statistical data to make inferences regarding the thrombotic problem in Mexico. Although, in general, small emboli (subsegmental) are well tolerated in the pulmonary circulation, difficulties frequently occur for medium to large emboli that occlude more than 30% of the pulmonary circulation. In the United States, it is estimated that up to 100,000 PE-related deaths occur each year.
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December 2022
The classic definition of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of 20 mmHg. The gold standard for assessing pulmonary hemodynamics is right heart catheterization (RHC), which is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of PH. In some instances, RHC evaluates the degree of hemodynamic dysfunction and performs vasoreactivity tests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCenters for the research of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) usually perform right cardiac catheterization (RHC) to document this hemodynamic condition; traditionally, the procedure is performed by the interventional cardiologist, while the interventional radiologist generally conducts the study of hepatic hemodynamics. In our center, where the leading cause of catheterization of the hepatic veins is orthotopic liver transplantation, the cardio-pulmonologist performs the procedure to diagnose the possibility of porto-pulmonary hypertension and its implications. Routine measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) during RHC is not recommended but is performed to confirm the diagnosis of portal hypertension (PoH).
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September 2022
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a hemodynamic condition with different etiological groups but common pathophysiology. Gender differences have been studied in group 1 of the PH classification, the pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) group. PAH has an etiopathogenic basis in sex hormones and directly affects the pulmonary vasculature and the heart.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmong the different types of central venous access, 2 are mainly recognized, the internal jugular and the subclavian. The most common complications of these invasive procedures are hematoma, vascular injury, pneumothorax, and hemothorax. This review presents 2 atypical complications in the central vascular approach in a patient seen in the emergency department.
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August 2023
Since the report of the first case of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, several associated thrombotic complications have been reported, mainly venous thromboembolic events, and myocardial infarctions, in addition to peripheral arterial thrombosis and cerebral vascular events, which have been attributed to a hypercoagulable state. We aimed to know the prevalence and prognostic biomarkers in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) and SARS Cov-2 pneumonia. Hospitalized patients with SARS Cov-2 pneumonia who have had clinical, biomarker, and imaging data (chest angiography) of pulmonary thromboembolism were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVenous thromboembolic disease (VTE) is a health problem; around 10 million cases occur yearly with substantial morbidity and mortality. Those who survive may be left with long-term sequelae. Those sequelae might include chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, persistent right ventricular dysfunction, exercise intolerance, and reduced quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe spectrum of pulmonary parenchymal and vascular pathologies related to the COVID-19 have emerged. There is evidence of a specific susceptibility related to thrombotic microangiopathy in situ and a complex immune-inflammatory cascade, especially in the pulmonary vascular bed. The potential to lead to transient or self-correcting sequelae of pulmonary vascular injury will only become apparent with longer-term follow-up.
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July 2023
Pulmonary hypertension is a hemodynamic state defined by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure >20 mmHg and a pulmonary vascular resistance ≥3 WU, subdivided into 5 groups. Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) corresponds to group 4. The antiphospholipid syndrome is one of the most associated thrombophilia, with a prevalence of CTEPH of 2%-50%.
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May 2023
The coexistence of MDS and pulmonary hypertension (PH) is not a common finding and often goes unnoticed because symptoms such as dyspnea can be confused with the underlying pathology. The annual incidence of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is only around 0.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while MDS is 1 to 8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
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