Pulmonary Hypertension
It’s Socioeconomic Impact and Computational Approach towards a Remedy
Dr. Chooda Mani Khanal
President and CEO
Pulmonary Hypertension Association Nepal
Sunday, June 14th, 9 PM ET
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), or Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in some cases, implies high blood pressure in the lungs leading to the right heart failure. PH is a complex, progressive, and fatal, often misdiagnosed disease. It is characterized by vasoconstriction and obliteration of the precapillary arterioles, which reduces the cross-sectional area of blood flow resulting in chronic elevation of the pulmonary arterial pressure. This increase in pressure is due to stiffness of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and it causes difficulty for the right side of the heart to pump deoxygenated blood through the lungs typically causing right heart failure. The stiffness (elasticity) of the arteries keeps on increasing as the time progresses. There is no cure of this disease till date: the ultima ratio is Lung or Heart and Lung transplants.
The challenge in addressing PH is perceived to be large but the size of the market is perceived to be small, so the cost effectiveness of experimental medicine in new drug development becomes significant. The condition of this complex disease in socio-economic aspect of Nepal and beyond will be discussed along with a scientific perspective on how modeling of vasodilation and arterial system could lead to breakthrough towards the cure. Lack of resources, and awareness about this “not-readily remembered” disease may complicate the rate of morbidity/mortality related to PH in Nepal and beyond. Diagnosis is only a tip of the iceberg for PH cases. Physics consideration on vasodilation and modelling of arteries could lead to breakthrough towards the cure.
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