Right ventricular dysfunction in chronic lung disease

Cardiol Clin. 2012 May;30(2):243-56. doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2012.03.005.

Abstract

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction arises in chronic lung disease when chronic hypoxemia and disruption of pulmonary vascular beds increase ventricular afterload. RV dysfunction is defined by hypertrophy with preserved myocardial contractility and cardiac output. RV hypertrophy seems to be a common complication of chronic and advanced lung disease. RV failure is rare, except during acute exacerbations of chronic lung disease or when multiple comorbidities are present. Treatment is targeted at correcting hypoxia and improving pulmonary gas exchange and mechanics. There are no data supporting the use of pulmonary hypertension-specific therapies for patients with RV dysfunction secondary to chronic lung disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / therapy
  • Lung Diseases / complications*
  • Lung Diseases / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases / therapy
  • Oxygen / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis
  • Respiratory System Agents / therapeutic use
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / etiology*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / therapy

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Respiratory System Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Oxygen