Vascular & Non-Vascular Pulmonary Interventions

The term vascular disease refers to any condition that affects your blood vessels. The vascular or circulatory system refers to this network. The word "vascular" comes from the Latin word for the hollow container. Even if your entire blood vessel system was stretched end-to-end, it could circle the globe several times.

PVD refers to a wide range of conditions affecting the blood vessels throughout the lungs. Oxygen-depleted blood flows from the right side of the heart to the lungs through these vessels. During the process of taking up oxygen, deoxygenated blood travels through the pulmonary arteries. After leaving the lungs, pulmonary veins take oxygenated blood to the left side of the heart, where it is distributed throughout the body. By continuously breathing out carbon dioxide, the blood is refilled with oxygen. As well as causing cardiovascular problems, a pulmonary vascular disorder can reduce a patient's quality of life.

CARE Hospitals provide highly specialised, multidisciplinary care to patients with complex pulmonary vascular conditions. The pulmonologists and cardiologists in our group work closely together and with cardiac and thoracic surgeons and other cardiologists.

Symptoms

Pulmonary embolism
The following symptoms of pulmonary embolism may be experienced by people with pulmonary embolism:

Breathlessness
Chest pain
Cough
Coughing up blood
Fever
Rapid heart rate
Rapid breathing
Fainting
Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension may cause the following symptoms:

Breathlessness
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Reduced ability to exercise
Chest pain
Coughing up blood
Hoarseness

Causes

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot in the legs or pelvis usually results in a pulmonary embolism. It is possible for this blood clot to break off and travel through the vein to the pulmonary artery. People who have recently undergone medical or surgical procedures that resulted in prolonged bed rest, people with a prior history of blood clots, and people using hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives are at an increased risk of developing blood clots.

Pulmonary hypertension

The cause of pulmonary hypertension can be genetic, or sometimes there is no known reason (idiopathic).

Pulmonary hypertension takes many forms, each of which is treated differently. According to doctors, it can be divided into five groups:

Different causes can lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Diseases of the left heart can cause pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The condition of having high blood pressure due to lung disease or oxygen deficiency (hypoxia).
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is also called thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Causes and triggers of thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension are unclear.

What is the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Vascular Disease?

A variety of tests are used to diagnose PVD, as well as determine the specific disorder, in addition to taking a full medical history.

The following tests can be used:

CT Scan
Echocardiogram
Chest X-ray
Right Heart Catheterization and Vasodilator Testing
Pulmonary Angiogram

How is Pulmonary Vascular Disease Treated?

Pulmonary embolism

It is often difficult to diagnose a pulmonary embolism. The diagnosis is made by identifying symptoms and looking at a person's medical history, along with routine tests such as chest x-rays and electrocardiograms.

A blood test, called a D-dimer, can be conducted to rule out pulmonary embolism, as well as computed tomography (CT) angiography, an imaging technique involving x-rays, CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

In an emergency situation, a test called a bedside echocardiogram can help diagnose PE. Ultrasound is used to create images of the heart. Furthermore, ultrasounds can check for clots in the pelvic or leg veins, which could contribute to PE.

Pulmonary embolism can be treated with drugs known as anticoagulants. People with breathing difficulties can also receive additional oxygen. Patients with persistent heart failure and a high risk of PE are often prescribed thrombolytic drugs, which dissolve clots in the pulmonary arteries. Surgery to remove the clot is another option if these treatments don't work.

Pulmonary hypertension

When it comes to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), it is difficult to make an early diagnosis since many patients have few or no symptoms or simply appear unfit. An individual diagnosed with PAH may develop it at any age, but the average (mean) age is 50.
The doctor looks at a person's symptoms and other factors like age and existing medical conditions to determine a diagnosis. People who are showing signs of right heart failure often seek medical attention late in the disease process.

Pulmonary hypertension is not curable, though basic drugs, such as anticoagulants or oxygen supplements, can ease its symptoms. A patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension may be treated with various therapies, such as prostacyclin, endothelin receptor antagonists, or type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

By removing the clot and scar material in the blood vessels (arteries) of the lungs, pulmonary endarterectomy can cure pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic thrombo-embolic disease.

A lung transplant may be considered if the condition is severe. Treatment of the underlying condition is recommended if pulmonary hypertension is associated with heart or lung diseases.