Pulmonary hypertension: a correct diagnosis for a suitable therapy in scleroderma patients

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2015 Jul-Aug;33(4 Suppl 91):S182-9. Epub 2015 Sep 1.

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous disorder characterised by dysfunction of the endothelium and dysregulation of fibroblasts, resulting in excessive production of collagen, and abnormalities of the immune system. Progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs is a pathologic hallmark of the disease, resulting in major organ damage and failure. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is frequent in patients with SSc and, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) represents one of the main causes of death. PH is not a specific disease, but a haemodynamic condition characterized by a mean pulmonary pressure ≥25mmHg. In SSc, because of the great variability in clinical manifestation, it is possible to identify pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease, PH due to respiratory disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension. The knowledge of PH and the right diagnosis are crucial to assess the most appropriate therapeutic strategy. In this article, the new classification criteria of PH have been examined taking into account the SSc clinical evolution and focusing on the different underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arterial Pressure / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnosis*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pulmonary Artery / drug effects*
  • Pulmonary Artery / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents