Plaučių arterinė hipertenzija 

Priežastis 

Kas atsitinka plaučių hipertenzijos (PAH) atveju? 

Plaučių hipertenzija pasireiškia, kai plaučių arterijos vidutinis arterinis kraujospūdis ramybės būsenoje padidėja virš 25 mmHg (normalus slėgis: <20 mmHg).

Plaučių hipertenzija reiškia, kad dėl plaučių kraujagyslių susiaurėjimo padidėja slėgis plaučių kraujotakoje. Tai lemia papildomą įtampą širdžiai, nes ji per susiaurėjusias plaučių kraujagysles stengiasi toliau pumpuoti pakankamą kiekį kraujo. Šios kraujagyslės ir toliau siaurėja ir tampa vis mažiau elastingos. Jei pažeistos arterijos (kraujagyslės, išeinančios iš dešiniojo širdies skilvelio), sutrikimas vadinamas plaučių arterine hipertenzija.

Kai liga progresuoja, dešinės širdies dalies raumenų masė ir toliau didės iki tokio dydžio, kai širdis pagaliau praranda gebėjimą pumpuoti pakankamai kraujo į plaučius. Tada deguonies tiekimas į organizmą ir širdį dar labiau blogėja. Jei liga yra negydoma, galiausiai vystosi širdies nepakankamumas.

Dabar taikoma plaučių hipertenzijos klasifikacija

Yra keturių tipų plaučių hipertenzija. Plaučių arterinė hipertenzija yra vienas tipas, kuris gali būti suskirstytas į:

• Idiopatinę (pirminę)
• Paveldimą
• Susijusių formų
• Sukeltą vaistų ir toksinų

1. Pulmonary arterial hypertension

• Idiopathic
• Heritable
  • BMPR2
  • ALK1, Endoglin
  • Unknown
• Drug and toxin-induced
• Associated with PAH
  • Connective tissue diseases
  • HIV infection
  • Portal hypertension
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Chronic hemolytic anemia
• 1'. Pulmonary Veno-occlusive disease and/or capillary hemangiomatosis
• 1". Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)

2. Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease

• Left ventricular systolic dysfunction
• Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction
• Valvular disease
• Congenital/acquired left heart inflow/outflow tract obstruction an congenital cardiomyopathy

3. Pulmonary hypertension due to lung diseases and/or hypoxia

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Interstitial lung disease
• Pulmonary diseases with restrictive and obstructive pattern
• Sleep-disordered breathing
• Alveolar hypoventilation disorders
• Chronic exposure to high altitude
• Developmental lung diseases

4. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)

• Complication of pulmonary embolism
• Large or proximal vessel disorders
• High blood pressure, blood clots
• Reduced compliance and luminal narrowing

5. Pulmonary hypertension with unclear and/or multi-factorial mechanisms

• Hematologic disorders (myeloproliferative disorders, splenectomy)
• Systemic disorders (Vasculitis sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans cell, histiocytosis LAM, neurofibromatosis)
• Metabolic disorders (Glycogen storage disease, thyroid disorders)
• Congenital heart disease
• Cancer-related, renal failure on dialysis

Diagnozė 

Jei įtariama, kad pacientas serga plaučių hipertenzija (dėl prastos fizinės būklės ir kvėpavimo sutrikimų), jam bus atliktas išsamus fizinis patikrinimas bei išanalizuota ligos istorija. Be šeimos ligos istorijos, taip pat labai svarbu pateikti išsamią informaciją apie visus anksčiau paskirtus vaistus ir galimą piktnaudžiavimą narkotikais. 

Kiti galimi tyrimai:

• Elektrokardiogramos užrašymas
• Širdies ultragarsinis tyrimas - echokardiografija yra labai informatyvus, streso pacientui nesukeliantis  tyrimas
• Krūtinės ląstos rentgenograma
• Laboratoriniai tyrimai, pvz., hemograma (kraujo ląstelių skaičiaus tyrimas), krešėjimo parametrai, kepenų tyrimai (diagnostiniai), bet kokie esantys antikūnai, ŽIV testas (jei nustatoma atitinkama rizika)
• Kraujo dujų analizė
• Plaučių funkcijos testas
• Didelės skiriamosios gebos kompiuterinė tomografija (HRCT)
• Ventiliacijos (perfuzijos) tyrimas
• Angiografija
• Kateterinis širdies tyrimas

Kasdienis gyvenimas 

Everyday life

Kai pacientui diagnozuojama plaučių arterinė hipertenzija, jis turi išmokti prisitaikyti prie naujos būklės.

Reikėtų vengti intensyvaus fizinio aktyvumo, nes plaučiai nebegali organizmo aprūpinti reikiamu deguonies kiekiu. Pasunkėjęs kvėpavimas yra akivaizdus požymis, kad intensyvią veiklą reikia nutraukti. Vis dėlto labai svarbu, kad pacientas lengvai mankštintųsi ir reguliariai vaikščiotų, kad išlaikytų raumenų jėgą bei paskatintų kraujotaką.

Paciento mityboje turi būti daug mikroelementų, skaidulų ir vitaminų. Tačiau reikia sumažinti valgomosios druskos vartojimą.

Alkoholis turėtų būti vartojamas tik nedideliais kiekiais.

Kūno svoris turi būti reguliariai tikrinamas, pageidautina visada tuo pačiu dienos laiku. Staigus kūno svorio padidėjimas gali būti širdies ir inkstų būklės pablogėjimo požymis.

Reiktų vengti aktyvaus ir pasyvaus rūkymo.

Jei moteris pacientė nori susilaukti vaikų, labai svarbu, kad ji pirmiausia konsultuotųsi su PAH specialistu, ir būtų atsižvelgta į padidėjusią riziką, kurią PAH sukelia besilaukiančioms motinoms bei jų negimusiems kūdikiams

Dietary recommendations for pulmonary hypertension patients

A diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension causes a change in lifestyle for many people. Many patients often ask themselves what they should eat. There is no special “high-pressure lung diet”, but there are nutritional measures that can make everyday life easier, especially when coping with with diarrhea and both loss of appetite and weight.

The patient's diet should be rich in micronutrients, fiber, and vitamins. However, the intake of cooking salt should be reduced.

Alcohol should only be enjoyed in small amounts.

What can you do if you have diarrhea?

Diarrhea is when three or more loose or watery bowel movements occur within 24 hours. The stool consistency is unshaped, which means mushy or thin. Persistent diarrhea results in significant fluid and electrolyte loss. To compensate for these losses, isotonic drinks (electrolyte drinks) are recommended because the body can absorb this liquid better than pure water or tea.

Drinking is particularly important when having diarrhea and the recommended amount is at least 1 to 1.5 liters per day!

Drinks at room temperature are optimal and carbonated drinks will cause flatulence.

Avoid drinking large amounts at once, instead drink regularly throughout the day.

Suitable teas:

• Always let teas infuse for 10-15 minutes!
• Black tea: Leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes so that the tannic acid (which can irritate the bowel) is dissolved
• Green tea
• Chamomile tea (antibacterial)
• Strawberry or blackberry leaf tea (contain tannins, can be obtained from a pharmacy)
• Fennel tea or mixed tea of anise, fennel and caraway seeds in equal parts
• Tea made from dried blueberries (available in the pharmacy): 8 tablespoons dried blueberries + 35 g glucose + knife tip salt + 1 liter of water

Less suitable drinks:

These drinks are not suitable for low-viscosity stools because they contain too little sugar and minerals:

• Pure drinking and mineral water
• Unsweetened tea
• Light drinks like Gröbi, Cola light / zero, Schartner diet etc.

Recommended foodstuffs during the diarrhea phase:

When digestion is intensive, easily digestible food is a much better option. In this phase, you should rather refrain from hearty home-cooked food, especially if it is greasy, fatty and stimulatesstool.

Spices such as herb salt, parsley, dill, ground nutmeg, caraway and ground vegetables (carrots, celery) and also pumpkin, courgette/ zucchini and fennel are generally well tolerated.

Pectins support intestine-function.

They help to remove harmful decomposition products from the intestine and provide food for the healthy intestinal flora. They also increase water absorption from the intestine into the blood.

Pectins are contained in apple with peel, banana, carrot, blueberries (especially dried), and jams.

Foodstuffs that slow down intestine function:

• White flour products (white bread, toasted bread, rusks, bread from the day before, Soletti, ...)
• Potatoes, puree/ mashed (with water or lactose-free milk, no butter!)
• White rice, pasta - soft-cooked
• Thick-textured/ soupy food (rice, oatmeal, semolina)
• Carrot soup, carrot porridge - cooked for a long time!
• Mashed or steamed vegetables (celeriac, spinach, pumpkin, zucchini, salads, carrots)
• Blueberry mousse or compote
• Banana, grated apple (grate very finely with the peel and definitely let it brown!). In addition, with crushed biscuits this makes a delicious dessert!
• Sponge cake, sponge roll
• Cooked lean poultry or veal, lean pork
• Steamed lean fish (pike-perch, plaice, cod)
• Low-fat cream cheese, cottage cheese - preferably lactose-free
• Cocoa, dark chocolate

COVID-19 and PAH

Having PAH does not increase the risk of catching the coronavirus, which is also referred to as COVID-19. Because COVID-19 is a new virus, there is no immunity in society, meaning the entire human population is prone to infection. After an infection with COVID-19 the severity of symptoms can range from very mild (or even no symptoms at all) to severe. People who are older or have existing chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung diseases or diabetes, may be at higher risk of serious illness. Of course, PAH patients tend to be at a higher risk. We therefore urge PAH patients to please STAY at HOME. PAH patients should be cautious and try to avoid any risk of infection! COVID-19 is primarily spread via respiratory droplets when people cough or sneeze. Normally, symptoms of COVID-19 begin 2 to 14 days after exposure. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever, tiredness, dry cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

General recommendations:

• Comply with and keep up with your usual treatments, as recommended by your treating physician.
• Focus on a healthy diet and keep well hydrated according the guidance of your treating physician.
• Stay at home as far as possible, avoiding any unnecessary contacts with other people.
• It is not recommended that healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. However, it is highly advisable to wear a mask if you are infected in order to protect others.

What general preventive measures should people take?

The following simple preventive measures can help minimize the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often and with soap, lathering both the front and the back of the hands and fingers for at least 20 seconds - in particular after being in public places.
• If soap is not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Make sure everyone around you is practicing good hand washing techniques.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with respiratory symptoms like coughs, colds or ongoing chest infections.
• Stay at home if you are sick or have even the slightest flu-like symptoms.
• Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter to other persons.
• Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze and dispose of it promptly afterwards, alternatively you can sneeze into your sleeve/elbow.
• Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands as much as possible.
• Avoid places where there is likely to be an increased risk of exposure such as crowds, especially in poorly ventilated areas.

What extra precautions should pulmonary hypertension patients take?

Individuals with respiratory diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension, do not appear to be more at risk of contracting COVID-19 than the general public. However, if they catch COVID-19 they are more likely to suffer from severe symptoms. 

Patients with respiratory diseases should, therefore, take extra precautions to minimize the risk of getting infected with COVID-19. In addition to the general preventive measures listed above, they should:

• Make sure that they are up to date with repeat prescriptions
• Stock up on necessary medications and supplies that can last for a few weeks
• Avoid crowds and non-essential travel
• STAY AT HOME!
• Those patients with existing respiratory problems should only wear face masks when necessary, as they can make breathing more difficult.

Advice for family members and caregivers

Family members and caregivers of people with chronic diseases like pulmonary hypertension should take appropriate precautions and take extra care to avoid bringing COVID-19 home. They should constantly monitor patients and stock medicines and other necessary supplies that can last for several weeks. Storing extra non-perishable food can help minimize trips to the grocery store. People who show symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to COVID-19 (e.g. having been in physical contact with COVID-19 infected people) should have to immediately stop visiting their PAH relatives/patients until the self-isolation period is complete.

What should sick individuals do?

If symptoms are present and a COVID-19 diagnosis is confirmed, patients should follow these steps to prevent the spread of the infection:

• Stay at home, preferably in a separate room not shared with others, and isolate yourself, with the exception of getting medical care.
• Avoid public areas and public transportation.
• Limit contact with pets and animals.
• Avoid sharing personal items.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and dispose of such tissues properly.
• Sanitize hands regularly.
• Disinfect surfaces such as phones, keyboards, toilets, and tables.
• People should call ahead before visiting the hospital for an appointment. This way, the hospital can take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of the infection.
• Patients who have confirmed COVID-19 should wear face masks when going out.

With joint support, we will get through this crisis!