Pulmonary hypertension is a serious condition that can be life-threatening. Although there is no cure, there are several treatments available.
For primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), treatments may include:
inhaled oxygen to help raise the levels of oxygen in the bloodstream
nitric oxide (NO) to help reduce the resistance in the lung blood vessels and improve heart function
calcium-channel blockers to relieve constriction in the pulmonary arteries and improve the heart's ability to pump blood
intravenous prostacyclin, "Flolan," to help open up constricted lung blood vessels and reduce high blood pressure in the lungs
endothelin antagonists, prostacylin analogs, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors to reduce high blood pressure in the lungs
anticoagulants to prevent blood clots in the lungs
diuretics to help kidneys eliminate water
digoxin to help support the ability of the heart to pump the blood
lung transplantation for patients who do not respond to medication -- a single-lung, double-lung or heart-lung transplant may be recommended
For secondary pulmonary hypertension, treating the underlying disease or defect may have significant benefit. Use of many of the treatments listed above, in conjunction with treatment for the associated cause of the disease, may help ease the effects of pulmonary hypertension.
Children's Hospital Boston is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School
