Keywords

Critical care nursing, Evidence-based practice, Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Authors

1. Smith, Carol S. PhD, RN
2. York, Nancy L. PhD, RN
3. Kane, Christy J. PhD, RRT-NPS
4. Weitendorf, Frederick RPh, RN

Abstract

Patients presenting with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the rarest of the groups of pulmonary hypertension diagnoses, are infrequently seen in the critical care arena. However, when patients with PAH present in the intensive care unit, it is generally related to an exhaustion of treatments. This article focuses on the current state of the literature addressing the group designation, pathophysiology, symptom expression, and treatment modalities of the patient with PAH.