Pulmonary hypertension with 2020 vision

Abstract

The mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of healthy adults at rest at low altitude is approximately 14.0 ± 3.3 mmHg (Kovacs, Berghold, Scheidl, & Olschewski, 2009). This low pressure compared to the systemic circulation is reflected in the relatively thin wall of the healthy right ventricle compared to its companion left ventricle. A mean resting PAP ≥ 25 mmHg has been widely accepted as pulmonary hypertension. This arbitrary threshold has recently been revisited with the suggestion that it should be revised downward to 20 mmHg (roughly two standard deviations above 14 mmHg), This work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft