Elevated Pulmonary Artery Pressure

An abnormal increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure (>20 mmHg at rest by right heart catheterization).

Causes

• Left heart disease

  • Left-sided heart failure

  • Mitral valve disease

  • Aortic valve disease

  • Elevated left-sided filling pressures

• Pulmonary disorders

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

  • Pulmonary fibrosis

  • Obstructive sleep apnea

  • Chronic hypoxemic lung disease

  • Pulmonary embolism -->  increased pulmonary vascular resistance

  • Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

• Connective tissue disorders

  • Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

• High cardiac output states

  • Chronic anemia

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Arteriovenous fistulas

• Liver and infectious disorders

  • Liver cirrhosis (portopulmonary hypertension)

  • HIV infection