Overview of WHO Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease

Abstract

Background: Left heart disease (LHD) is the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and is associated with poor patient outcomes, especially among patients undergoing heart transplant evaluation.Implications for clinicians: Left heart disease should be considered in all patients undergoing an evaluation for PH. Correct management of PH from LHD is to optimize treatment of LHD. Pulmonary vasodilators used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension should not be used in patients with PH from LHD.Conclusions: Additional research is needed to better understand how PH develops in patients with LHD and to investigate the role for treatment targeting PH in these patients.