[Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease - not to be confused with pulmonary arterial hypertension].

Pulmonary hypertension is a common consequence of left heart disease, associated with poor prognosis. The pulmonary hypertension in left heart disease is initially caused by a passive congestion of the pulmonary circuit but may, if longstanding, result in endothelial dysfunction and excessive vasoconstriction. In some cases pulmonary vascular remodeling occur, further complicating the condition and worsening the prognosis. It has been debated whether these patients may benefit from pulmonary vasodilators presently used in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Several randomized controlled trials have been performed on this subject, the vast majority being negative. As maintenance therapy may be harmful, they should be avoided outside clinical trials.