Pulmonary Hypertension in Women

Veronica Franco; John J Ryan; Vallerie V McLaughlin

doi:10.1016/j.hfc.2018.08.013

Pulmonary Hypertension in Women

Heart Fail Clin. 2019 Jan;15(1):137-145. doi: 10.1016/j.hfc.2018.08.013. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Authors

Veronica Franco¹, John J Ryan², Vallerie V McLaughlin³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 473 W 12th Avenue, DHLRI Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. Electronic address: Veronica.Franco@osumc.edu.
² Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
³ Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

PMID: 30449376
DOI: 10.1016/j.hfc.2018.08.013

Abstract

Prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is higher in women, and the mechanism remains unclear. Prognosis is overall better for female compared with male patients with PAH. Pregnancy is associated with significant risk, mortality, and morbidity in patients with PAH; consensus guidelines recommend against pregnancy and counsel about early termination in these patients. Recent advances in treatment showed improvement in prognosis in small case reports of pregnant patients with PAH, particularly with the early use of parental prostacyclin. Education remains fundamental for women with PAH of childbearing age for pregnancy prevention as well as discussion about birth control methods.

Keywords: Pregnancy; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Pulmonary hypertension; Women.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Contraception / methods*
Female
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary* / epidemiology
Hypertension, Pulmonary* / physiopathology
Hypertension, Pulmonary* / therapy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / mortality*
Prevalence
Prognosis
Risk Adjustment
Risk Factors