Pulmonary hypertension (PH) falls into 5 groups, as defined by the World Health Organization. Swan-Ganz catheters determine precapillary versus postcapillary PH. The hemodynamic values of PH at rest and with vasodilatory challenge categorize the etiology of PH and guide treatment. RV maladaptations to increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and the chronicity of the right ventricle's (RV) response to increased PH and/or increased PVR can be understood with pressure-volume (PV) loops constructed with use of conductance catheters. These PV loops demonstrate the RV's ability to increase stroke volume in acutely and chronically increased PVR.
Keywords: Conductance catheter; Pressure-volume loop; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Pulmonary hypertension; Pulmonary vascular resistance; Right heart failure.
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