RT Journal
A1 Rothman A, Kulik TJ
T1 PUlmonary hypertension and asthma in two patients with congenital heart disease
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD August 1
VO 143
IS 8
SP 977
OP 979
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150200139034
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150200139034
AB • Reactive airway disease has only rarely been associated with pulmonary hypertension. We treated two patients with congenital heart disease and asthma who had increased pulmonary arterial pressure at cardiac catheterization. Pulmonary hypertension could not be explained solely by the cardiac lesion, nor by respiratory mechanical factors, as the patients did not have wheezing during the catheterization study. After long-term treatment with bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and oxygen, and coincident with improvement in the airway disease, there was catheterization-proved diminution of pulmonary hypertension. Whether asthma and pulmonary hypertension were causally linked is unknown, but further work seems indicated to elucidate the relationship between bronchoconstriction and pulmonary vasoconstriction. Furthermore, aggressive management of even mild reactive airway disease may be warranted in patients with pulmonary hypertension, regardless of apparent cause.(AJDC. 1989;143:977-979)