Sepsis and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the ICU

Abstract

The management of sepsis in the patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is dependent on 2 primary principles: 1) optimizing right ventricular (RV) function, and 2) reducing pulmonary vascular resistance. In this review, we will discuss the major challenges that health care providers face in trying to achieve these goals. We will start with an overview of normal RV function and modulators of pulmonary vascular tone. A general approach to managing RV failure and hemodynamic instability will be provided, along with a discussion of how modern therapies for the treatment of PAH can best be used in the setting of sepsis.