Tutorial - Pharmacologic Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

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Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

1. What hemodynamic factors determine pulmonary arterial pressure and what is a normal value for pulmonary arterial pressure?  click here
2. Above what values is pulmonary arterial pressure considered pulmonary hypertension?  click here
3. What is the difference between primary and secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension?  click here
4. What are several causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension?  click here

Drugs for Treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

1. How do drugs that dilate blood vessels, reduce blood volume, or alter cardiac output lead to a decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure?  click here
2. How do each of the following classes of drug lower pulmonary arterial pressure?
   • thiazide diuretics
   • loop diuretics
   • calcium-channel blockers
   • endothelin receptor antagonists
   • cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors (investigational)

Revised 08/29/06