A Nurse's Perspective on the Alert for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
On The Alert for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
On The Alert for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Summarized by: Joanne Marie Tarrobal-Baynosa
Arellano University - INP
Summarized by: Joanne Marie Tarrobal-Baynosa
Arellano University - INP
By Vincent M. Vacca, Jr., RN, CCRN, MSN
Nursing Journal, December 2009 Issue
By Vincent M. Vacca, Jr., RN, CCRN, MSN
Nursing Journal, December 2009 Issue
Nurse Vincent M. Vacca, Jr. aptly described in this issue of the Nursing Journal the significance of early detection and health management of people who are or are maybe suffering from Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. He described PAH as a condition wherein a patient is having a mean pulmonary arterial (PA) pressure of greater than 25 mm HG with a pulmonary capillary or left atrial pressure less than 15 Hg; which is significantly higher than the normal range of between 12-16mm Hg in a healthy adult. 1 PAH, he said, is a condition, which is a result of the thickening of the pulmonary arterial wall causing a state of permanent vasoconstriction. In addition, the pulmonary vasculature that produces the body’s natural vasodilators becomes impaired therefore further contributing to pulmonary vascular remodeling, systemic hypoxia, and pulmonary thrombosis. All these, he said, could cause an elevated mean PA pressure and eventually a state of permanent pulmonary hypertension.
PAH, according to nurse Vacca is prevalent amongst patients ages 30s or 40s and are more common in female rather than male patients. This condition is usually asymptomatic but some patients can exhibit exertional dyspnea caused by low cardiac output during the early stages of the condition. However, he said that a patient could also develop signs and symptoms of right-sided heart failure because the right ventricle could no longer overcome the high mean PA pressure. Some of the signs and symptoms he mentioned are ascites, congestive hepatomegaly, anasarca, and increased abdominal girth.
On The Alert for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Summarized by: Joanne Marie Tarrobal-Baynosa
Arellano University - INP
Summarized by: Joanne Marie Tarrobal-Baynosa
Arellano University - INP
By Vincent M. Vacca, Jr., RN, CCRN, MSN
Nursing Journal, December 2009 Issue
By Vincent M. Vacca, Jr., RN, CCRN, MSN
Nursing Journal, December 2009 Issue
Nurse Vincent M. Vacca, Jr. aptly described in this issue of the Nursing Journal the significance of early detection and health management of people who are or are maybe suffering from Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. He described PAH as a condition wherein a patient is having a mean pulmonary arterial (PA) pressure of greater than 25 mm HG with a pulmonary capillary or left atrial pressure less than 15 Hg; which is significantly higher than the normal range of between 12-16mm Hg in a healthy adult. 1 PAH, he said, is a condition, which is a result of the thickening of the pulmonary arterial wall causing a state of permanent vasoconstriction. In addition, the pulmonary vasculature that produces the body’s natural vasodilators becomes impaired therefore further contributing to pulmonary vascular remodeling, systemic hypoxia, and pulmonary thrombosis. All these, he said, could cause an elevated mean PA pressure and eventually a state of permanent pulmonary hypertension.
PAH, according to nurse Vacca is prevalent amongst patients ages 30s or 40s and are more common in female rather than male patients. This condition is usually asymptomatic but some patients can exhibit exertional dyspnea caused by low cardiac output during the early stages of the condition. However, he said that a patient could also develop signs and symptoms of right-sided heart failure because the right ventricle could no longer overcome the high mean PA pressure. Some of the signs and symptoms he mentioned are ascites, congestive hepatomegaly, anasarca, and increased abdominal girth.
References: 1. Vacca, Vincent M Jr., RN, CCRN, MSN (December 2009). On the Alert for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, 37. The Nursing Journal. Retrieved from Arellano University Library 2 3. Vacca, Vincent M Jr., RN, CCRN, MSN (December 2009). On the Alert for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, 39. The Nursing Journal. Retrieved from Arellano University Library Medical Terminologies Covered in Class