Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review for Definition, Epidemiology, Pathology, and Diagnosis

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by progressive and persistent restriction of airflow with a prevalence of 19-25%. The main symptoms are shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. Smoking is the most common cause and quitting smoking is the only action which prevents developing and progressing of COPD.Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) which is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure of ≥ 25 mmHg measured by right heart catheterization at rest is a common complication of COPD and it has been investigated under the title of "Class III: Pulmonary Hypertension due to Pulmonary Disease and/or Hypoxia" according to the updated clinical classification in the 5 th World Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium. Although pathogenesis is complex, it often involves HPV and pulmonary vascular remodeling. In this review, the PHT which mainly develops secondary to COPD is discussed.