Search
The Crashing Patient with PAH
- In recent weeks, we've highlighted some pearls regarding the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
- In the crashing patient with PAH, think about the following:
- Catheter occlusion or malfunction (for those receiving IV prostacyclin analogues)
- PE (for those inadequately anticoagulated)
- Pneumonia
- RV ischemia
- GI bleeding
- Ischemic bowel
- In the patient receiving IV epoprostenol (Flolan) who presents with a catheter occlusion or malfunction, time is of the essence. Restart the medication through a peripheral IV as soon as possible.
References
Rubenfire M, Bayram M, Hector-Wood Z. Pulmonary hypertension in the critical care setting: classification, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. Crit Care Clin 2007;23: 801-834.