Update in Pulmonary Diseases
Authors: Jeanne Wallace
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2003)

Updates from the Annual Session16 September 2003Update in Pulmonary DiseasesJeanne Wallace, MD, MPHJeanne Wallace, MD, MPHFrom Olive View-University California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, Sylmar, California.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-139-6-200309160-00014 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Pulmonary Hypertension: New Treatments and OutcomesThe hallmark of pulmonary arterial hypertension is an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, which may be 20 times normal, leading to mean pulmonary artery pressures exceeding 25 mm Hg at rest and 30 mm Hg during exercise. If untreated, the condition leads to right ventricular failure and ultimately death. All layers of the pulmonary vessel walls are affected. Proliferation of the adventitia limits vascular elasticity, while hypertrophy of the medial smooth muscle promotes vasoconstriction in what is normally a high-flow, low-pressure system. Intimal proliferation and in situ thrombosis may eventually occlude the vascular lumen. ...References1. McLaughlin VV, Shillington A, Rich S. Survival in primary pulmonary hypertension: the impact of epoprostenol therapy. Circulation. 2002;106:1477-82. [PMID: 12234951] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Sitbon O, Humbert M, Nunes H, Parent F, Garcia G, Herve P, . Long-term intravenous epoprostenol infusion in primary pulmonary hypertension: prognostic factors and survival. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002;40:780-8. [PMID: 12204511] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Channick RN, Simonneau G, Sitbon O, Robbins IM, Frost A, Tapson VF, . Effects of the dual endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a randomised placebo-controlled study. Lancet. 2001;358:1119-23. [PMID: 11597664] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Jett JR. Spiral computed tomography screening for lung cancer is ready for prime time [Editorial]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001; 163:812; discussion 814-5. [PMID: 11282745] Google Scholar5. Patz EF, Goodman PC. Low-dose spiral computed tomography screening for lung cancer: not ready for prime time [Editorial]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001;163:813-4. [PMID: 11282746] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Heffner JE, Silvestri G. CT screening for lung cancer: is smaller better? [Editorial]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;165:433-4. [PMID: 11850330] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Grannis FW. Lung cancer screening: who will pick up the tab? [Editorial]. Chest. 2002;121:1388-90. [PMID: 12006414] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Olive View-University California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, Sylmar, California.Contributing Editor: David A. Cramer, MD.Disclosures: None disclosed.Corresponding Author: Jeanne Wallace, MD, MPH, Olive View-University California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, 14445 Olive View Drive, 2B182, Sylmar, CA 91342. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByDepressive symptoms in relation to physical functioning in pulmonary hypertensionWhat You Should Know About Pulmonary Hypertension 16 September 2003Volume 139, Issue 6Page: 499-504KeywordsCancer screeningComputed axial tomographyDeath ratesDrugsLesionsLung and intrathoracic tumorsLung cancer screeningProstacyclinPulmonary hypertensionThorax ePublished: 16 September 2003 Issue Published: 16 September 2003 CopyrightCopyright © 2003 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...