Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a relatively rare type of lung disorder that is associated with a higher-than-normal blood pressure (exceeding 25 mmHg) in the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery is the blood vessel connecting the right ventricle of the heart with the lungs. Deoxygenated blood is transported from the heart to the lungs where it is oxygenated.

People suffering from high blood pressure of the pulmonary artery are at risk of heart failure because the heart muscles are overexerted in an attempt to pump enough blood to the lungs to be oxygenated.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (also referred to as pulmonary arterial hypertension – PAH) predominantly affects women between the ages of 20 and 40, though the lung disorder can afflict men and women of all ages. There are approximately 500 to 1,000 new cases of PPH diagnosed each year in the United States.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Causes

Primary pulmonary hypertension can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which include:

• Diet drugs
• Inheritability
• Anorexigens or narcotic alpha adrenergic stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines)
• HIV seropositivity
• Unknown causes

The link between diet drugs and the development of PPH has garnered a great deal of attention in recent years. The diet drugs most commonly associated with causing PPH include Fen Phen, Redux (dexfenfluramine) and Pondimin (fenfluramine). Studies have determined that treatment with such drugs can potentially increase a person's chances of developing PPH by as much as 28 times.

Primary pulmonary hypertension often occurs as a result of unknown causes. In such cases, the lung disorder is referred to as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) or unexplained pulmonary hypertension.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms

PPH symptoms are typically associated with the body having less oxygen in the blood. Early diagnosis of PPH based solely on symptoms can be difficult because they are often present in the form of mild breathlessness or fatigue; two very general conditions. Over time, the disease can progress to a point that it fosters the development of serious PPH symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue
• Excessive weakness
• Ankle and extremity swelling
• Difficulty in breathing
• Fainting
• Chest pain
• Bluish lips / skin

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Treatments

Unfortunately, there is no cure for primary pulmonary hypertension; PPH treatments instead focus on providing relief from the symptoms propagated by the rare lung disorder. There are a number of drug treatments that are used to relieve the high blood pressure that strains the right ventricle of the heart. Vasodilators and diuretic drugs are often used to widen the blood vessels and thin the blood.

There are a number of prescription drugs that have had some success in treating PPH:

• Tracleer
• Flolan
• Remodulin
• Prostacyclin
• Ambrisentan
• Thelin

In some cases, patients are often treated with oxygen therapies designed to relieve some of the overexertion of the heart muscle that are straining to pump sufficient levels of oxygenated blood throughout the body.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Lawsuits

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension, heart disease or a heart valve defect as a result of diet drug use, contact the law offices of Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough at 800 521 4492 or visit the firm's website at www.ppa-injury.com to get additional information about your rights to compensation. With over 20 years of experience and having represented more than 10,000 personal injury claimants, the attorneys of Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough are available to answer your questions today.

Areas of Legal Interest

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, Guidant Pacemaker Recall, Malignant Mesothelioma, Personal Injury, Benzene Exposure, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, Other resource, Traumatic Brain Injury