Pulmonary hypertension in female patients with cardiovascular and respiratory tract disease
Gegenava, M.; Gegenava, T.; Kavtaradze, G.
Georgian Medical News 186: 34-37
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1512-0112 PMID: 20972273 Document Number: 643977
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is defined as a group of disease characterized by a progressive increase of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) leading to right ventricular failure. Aim of our study was to determine frequency of PAH in female patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary tract disease. The research was performed in 80 postmenopausal women (mean age, 54 ± 3 yr). They were divided in groups according to the main disease: 1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD n=16. 2. Acute pneumonia n=23. 3. Cardiovascular disease n=25. This group was compared with the control group (nonpostmenopausal women). In postmenopausal women high level of PAH by echocardiographic trial was manifested in patients with cardiovascular disease n=17 (68%); In cases of pneumonia n=13; 56,5% (P<0.001) and in COPD n=12; 75% (P=0.001). There wasn't revealed significant level of pulmonary hypertension in nonpostmenopausal women (P=0.001). By transthoracic echocardiography tricuspidal regurgitation (TR), right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) dilatation was showed in every patient with important degree of PH. By electrocardiography (ECG) signs of RV and RA hypertrophy were expressed in great majority of patients with high degree of PH. Furthermore, RV hypertrophy revealed in n=64 (80%) of patients and right deviation of axis in n=60 (75%). The results have indicated that PAH is widely extended in postmenopausal period, when the protective effects of oestrogens on the endothelium decrease. The problem is actual and needs particular attention. Early diagnostic and treatment of pulmonary hypertension give the possibility to control cardiovascular and pulmonary disease and avoid complications.