Pľúcna artériová hypertenzia 

Príčiny

Čo sa deje v prípade pľúcnej hypertenzie (PAH)? 

Pľúcna hypertenzia nastane, ak je v pokoji meraný stredný artériový krvný tlak v pľúcnej tepne zvýšený nad 20 mmHg.

Pľúcna hypertenzia znamená, že v dôsledku zúženia krvných ciev v pľúcach dôjde k zvýšeniu tlaku v pľúcnom obehu. Toto kladie zvýšené nároky na srdce, pretože srdce sa snaží pokračovať v čerpaní dostatočného množstva krvi cez zúžené krvné cievy v pľúcach. Tieto cievy sa naďalej zužujú a stávajú sa stále viac nepružnými. V prípade, že sú postihnuté tepny (krvné cievy, ktoré vedú z pravej srdcovej komory), tak sa tento stav nazýva pľúcna artériová hypertenzia.

V priebehu progresie ochorenia sa objem svalovej hmoty pravého srdca postupne zväčšuje až do tej miery, že srdce nakoniec stratí schopnosť pumpovať dostatočné množstvo krvi do pľúc. Prívod kyslíka do tela a do srdca sa tým ďalej zhoršuje. V prípade, že sa choroba nelieči, nakoniec vedie k zlyhaniu srdca.

Súčasná klasifikácia pľúcnej hypertenzie 

Existujú štyri typy pľúcnej hypertenzie. Pľúcna artériová hypertenzia je jedným z typov a ďalej sa delí na tieto podskupiny:

• Idiopatická
• Hereditárna
• Asociovaná
• Vyvolaná liekmi a toxínmi

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

Diagnostika 

Ak je u pacienta podozrenie na pľúcnu hypertenziu (kvôli zhoršeniu fyzickej výkonnosti a zhoršenému dýchaniu), bude potrebné komplexné fyzikálne vyšetrenie a posúdenie anamnestických údajov. Okrem rodinnej anamnézy je tiež veľmi dôležité poskytnúť informácie o všetkých liekoch, ktoré pacient užíval a užíva a o prípadnom zneužívaní návykových látok.

Ďalšie možné vyšetrenia:

• EKG (elektrokardiogram)
• Ultrazvukové vyšetrenie srdca - echokardiografia je vysoko výpovedné vyšetrenie, ktoré nespôsobuje pacientovi stres
• RTG (röntgen hrudníka)
• Laboratórne vyšetrenia ako napríklad krvný obraz (KO), koagulačné parametre, pečeňové nálezy (diagnostické), vyšetrenie protilátok, HIV test (ak je prítomný príslušný rizikový profil)
• Analýza krvných plynov
• Funkčné vyšetrenie pľúc
• Počítačová tomografia s vysokým rozlíšením (HRCT)
• Ventilačno – perfúzny sken
• Angiografia
• Katetrizácia srdca

Každodenný život 

Everyday life

Potom ako bola pacientovi diagnostikovaná pľúcna artériová hypertenzia, pacient sa potrebuje naučiť, ako sa adaptovať na novú situáciu.

Je potrebné vyhýbať sa namáhavej fyzickej aktivite, pretože pľúca už nie sú schopné poskytovať organizmu dostatočné množstvo kyslíka. Dýchacie ťažkosti sú jasným znamením, že namáhavá činnosť by mala byť ukončená. Je však veľmi dôležité, aby pacient pravidelne vykonával ľahké cvičenie a chodil pravidelne na prechádzky, aby si udržiaval svalovú silu a podporil krvný obeh.

Strava by mala byť bohatá na vlákninu, vitamíny a stopové prvky. Príjem kuchynskej soli je potrebné znížiť.

Alkohol sa môže požívať iba v malých množstvách.

Telesná hmotnosť sa musí kontrolovať v pravidelných intervaloch, najlepšie vždy v rovnakom dennom čase. Náhle zvýšenie telesnej hmotnosti môže byť signálom zhoršenia funkcie srdca a obličiek.

Treba sa vyhýbať aktívnemu aj pasívnemu fajčeniu.

Ak pacientka plánuje materstvo, je veľmi dôležité, aby sa najprv poradila s lekárom - špecialistom na liečbu PAH, vzhľadom na to, že PAH predstavuje zvýšené riziko pre nastávajúce mamičky a pre ich ešte nenarodené deti

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!