Pulmonary Vascular Diseases in the Elderly

Pulmonary hypertension is a pathologic hemodynamic condition defined by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 25 mm Hg or greater at rest. Because of age-associated stiffening of the heart and the pulmonary vasculature and the higher prevalence in the elderly of comorbidities associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension, it is an increasingly common finding in this patient population. A right heart catheterization is necessary for the diagnosis and characterization of pulmonary hypertension. The general management is to treat the underlying conditions responsible for the development of the disorder. Pulmonary vasodilators are indicated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.