New York Heart
Association PPH Functional
Classification for Primary
Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)
Once PPH is diagnosed, doctors classify the
disease based on how well a patient can perform daily life tasks and
functions. Since there is no cure for PPH, the treatments including Flolan, Tracleer,
Bosentan,
Remodulin
and Prostacyclin and
at best only relieve the symptoms. Relief from these symptoms, however can
raise quality of life and raise life expectancy by several years. The general
treatments for PPH include: Calcium Channel blockers that can be used to lower
pressure; Oxygen enables the patient to breath easier and lowers pressure;
Coumadin which thins the blood and prevents clotting; Diuretics or "water
pill" relives fluid that collects in the ankles and belly area, digoxin
slows the heart rate to improve muscle force.
Created by the New York Heart Association, there are four classes of PPH:
Class 1- Patients who have no symptoms such as tiredness,
palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pains.
Class 2- Patients who are
comfortable when resting but experience tiredness, palpitations, shortness of
breath, chest pains when performing basic life tasks.
Class 3- Patients who are
comfortable when resting but experience tiredness, palpitations, shortness of
breath, chest pains with less than ordinary life tasks.
Class 4- Patients who experience tiredness, palpitations,
shortness of breath, chest pains even at rest.
World Symposium on Primary Pulmonary
Hypertension
The current diagnostic classification proposed at the World Symposium on
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension in 1998 is as follows:
| CATEGORY |
CHARACTERIZATION |
|
Pulmonary hypertension associated with disorders
of the respiratory system and/or hypoxemia
|
Parenchymal lung disease (chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic
fibrosis)
Chronic alveolar hypoxemia (exposure to long-term low oxygen tension
such as high altitudes) |
| Pulmonary venous hypertension |
Mitral valve disease
Chronic veno-occlusion disease
Pulmonary veno-occlusion disease |
|
Pulmonary hypertension due to chronic thrombotic
and/or embolic disease
|
Thromboembolic obstruction of proximal pulmonary
arteries
Obstruction of distal pulmonary arteries
|
|
Pulmonary arterial hypertension
|
Primary arterial hypertension (sporadic, familial)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension related to collagen vascular disease (scleroderma,
lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts
(Eisenmenger syndrome), portoprimary hypertension, HIV infection, and
drugs and toxins
|
|
Pulmonary hypertension due to disorders directly
affecting the pulmonary vasculature
|
Inflammatory
Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis
|
|
|
|
PPH LAWYER
 If you or a loved one took diet drugs and recently have been given a diagnosis of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, PAH or pulmonary hypertension, then call us for a Free PPH Lawsuit Consultation. Talk to a Personal Injury Trial Lawyer with over 20+ years of product liability trial experience that understands the complications of PPH, legal options for patients with PPH and diet drug related PPH lawsuits and litigation.
Since 1997, we have aggressively represented PPH patients in diet drug lawsuits against the makers of Fen -Phen, Redux and PPH lawsuits against the nutritional supplement industry on herbal ephedrine / ephedra / ma huang PPH lawsuits. Get PPH Lawsuit Help. Talk to a PPH Attorney now. Call Toll Free 1-800-883-9858 or E-mail us.
BOARD CERTIFIED
 If you have been diagnosed with PPH then it very important that you talk with an attorney. Mr. Willis is a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1988. No Fees or Court Costs or Expenses charged to the client unless we obtain a recovery for you. We never send you a bill for our services! Call us if you have a question.
Call Toll Free
1 800 883 9858
pulmonary hypertension is so often fatal.
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St. John's Wort and PPH / Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Avandia and PPH - Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Unexplained Pulmonary Hypertension
Ventavis Recall
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|
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Legal Assistance
for PPH & Diet Drug Victims since 1997
