emDocs - January 11, 2021 - By Rachel Bridwell
Reviewed by: Brit Long; Skyler Lentz; Alex Koyfman
"Key Points:
- Myriad of chief complaints can be pulmonary hypertension; try to determine what is triggering the acute decompensation.
- Elevations in troponin and liver function tests portend a poor prognosis.
- Point of care ultrasound may be useful in guiding acute resuscitation, though evaluation of IVC may not reflect intravascular volume.
- Avoid hypoxemia and hypercarbia and maintain right ventricular preload support.
- Most patients will be admitted.
- Avoid intubating these patients if at all possible.
- Restart PAH meds if discontinued."