Pulmonary hypertension in infancy and childhood

Cardiol Young. 2003 Jun;13(3):219-27.

Abstract

In this review, we discuss current concepts in the pathogenesis and management of pulmonary hypertension affecting infants and children, with special focus on left-to-right shunting, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and primary pulmonary hypertension. In patients of these ages, functional aspects, such as an imbalance between vasoconstricting and vasodilating mechanisms, and morphological alterations of the vessel wall, contribute to the pulmonary hypertension. In the past decades, strategies have emerged for treatment that are targeted at the pathophysiological basis. Thus, in patients with left-to-right shunting and pulmonary hypertension after intra-cardiac repair, treatment with nitric oxide has been introduced effectively, while treatment with prostanoids, such as iloprost, is under investigation. In patients with pulmonary hypertension and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, therapeutic strategies focus on the underlying chronic lung disease and use of vasodilators. The pathogenesis of primary pulmonary hypertension in children remains as yet unclear, although treatment with prostanoids has proven effectively to improve the long-term prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / complications
  • Child
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / pathology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / physiopathology
  • Hypertrophy
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Nitric Oxide / therapeutic use
  • Oxygen / physiology
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Oxygen