Pavol Joppa, Ružena Tkáčová
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure above 25 mmHg. The 2003 Venice Classification of PH is based on the structural and functional changes involving the pulmonary circulation. Doppler-echocardiography has become a preferred tool for screening of PH. The diagnosis must be confirmed by right heart catheterization prior to administration of vasodilator drugs. Calcium channel blockers represent traditional vasodilator therapy for PH, whereas a significant improvement in prognosis of patients was achieved by the use of novel prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor blockers and phosphodiesterase inhibitors which also reverse vasoproliferative processes. Interventional and surgical approaches include pulmonary endarterectomy, atrial septostomy, and lung transplantation. Treatment of PH should be performed only in experienced centers.