PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

chronic lung disease (causing obliteration of pulmonary vascular bed):

emphysema

pulmonary fibrosis

sarcoidosis

collagen vascular disease: scleroderma (especially limited cutaneous variant 'CREST')

polyarteritis nodosa

systemic lupus erythematosus

obstruction to pulmonary arterial circulation:

pulmonary embolism

primary pulmonary hypertension (idiopathic; usually affects young females)

persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

pulmonary venous hypertension:

mitral stenosis

left-sided heart failure

left atrial myxoma

veno-occlusive disease

systemic-to-pulmonary shunts:

patent ductus arteriosus

ventricular septal defect

atrial septal defect

liver failure (pulmonary AV shunts)

disease causing impaired ventilation (pulmonary vasoconstriction secondary to chronic hypoxia):

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

sleep apnoea syndromes

kyphoscoliosis

thoracoplasty

infections: HIV

polio

schistosomiasis

drugs & toxins: CNS appetite suppressants (e.g. fenfluramine)

rapeseed oil

other: any other chronic disease impairing ventilation

chronic hypoxia of altitude

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