Pulmonary hypertension and pregnancy: an overview.

Pulmonary hypertension is a syndrome infrequently associated with pregnancy. Despite advancements in therapy during the past 25 years and encouraging reports of improved outcomes, pulmonary arterial hypertension remains a devastating disease with a significantly reduced lifespan. This disorder should still be considered a contraindication to pregnancy. The decision of a patient to continue the pregnancy should be supported by an empathetic group of health care professionals who would optimize their treatment and hopefully their pregnancy outcomes and survival after delivery. We overview here different aspects of the diagnosis, evaluation, management, and counseling of patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy.