Cardiology>>>>>Pulmonary Hypertension And Pericardium
Question 9#

Concerning the treatment of pulmonary hypertension:

A. Pulmonary transplant is never considered
B. Sildenafil is recommended as a treatment for patients with left heart failure
C. A majority of patients are on calcium-channel blockade
D. Sildenafil was originally tried as an anti-anginal
E. Prostanoid preparations are only intravenous

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

Sildenafil, which was originally developed as an anti-anginal before being used for erectile dysfunction, can be harmful in patients with PH secondary to left heart disease. Prostanoids are available in subcutaneous and inhaled preparations. Since only a minority of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension respond to a vasodilator challenge (not all of whom will maintain this response), relatively few are on calcium-channel blockade. Transplant is considered for eligible patients.