MELHORES ELEIÇÕES PARA DIAGNÓSTICO E TRATAMENTO DA HIPERTENSÃO PULMONAR ASSOCIADA A DOENÇA CARDÍACA ESQUERDA

Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) is the most prevalent form of pulmonary hypertension, affecting patients with heart failure and valvular disease. Divided into isolated post-capillary and combined pre-capillary, PH-LHD is characterized by a challenging prognosis, due to the difficulty in identifying the factors that contribute to its progression. Early diagnosis is essential and can be aided by imaging tests and procedures such as cardiac catheterization, with volume testing being an important tool to differentiate the types of PH. The management of PH-LHD involves symptom control and treatment of the underlying heart failure. Although there are no specific therapies to significantly improve the prognosis, diuretics and selective pulmonary vasodilators are used, with surgical interventions in more severe cases. Recent research has investigated treatments such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, which have shown some hemodynamic improvement, and pulmonary artery denervation, a promising technique, but still in the investigational phase. Despite advances, PH-DCE remains associated with high mortality, especially in patients with progressive elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance. Treatment should focus on managing underlying cardiac diseases and seeking new therapeutic approaches.