Pathology and pathophysiology of primary pulmonary hypertension.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is at present little understood. It is characterized by extensive remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, with consequent deleterious hypertrophic changes in the right ventricle. Median survival is 2.6 years, although this varies with the severity of right heart failure. Although PPH can occur at any age and in either sex, it primarily affects young to middle-aged women. A genetic predisposition appears to be a component of this disease, triggered by presentation of a stimulus (e.g., drugs or HIV infection). Symptomatic presentation includes exertional dyspnea, chest pain, and syncope. At present, therapy consists principally of anticoagulation, calcium antagonists, nitric oxide inhalation, or continuous intravenous prostacyclin.