TY - JOUR T1 - COVID-19 and pulmonary hypertension JF - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine JO - Cleve Clin J Med DO - 10.3949/ccjm.87a.ccc021 SP - ccc021 AU - Samar Farha Y1 - 2020/05/11 UR - http://www.ccjm.org/content/early/2020/05/06/ccjm.87a.ccc021.abstract N2 - Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pulmonary vascular disease characterized by pulmonary arterial remodeling and vasoconstriction leading to elevated pulmonary artery pressure and, ultimately, right heart failure. So far, few cases of COVID-19 disease in patients with PH have been reported. Caution is warranted in interpreting this observation as data are evolving and several factors may influence the number of reported cases of PH and COVID-19. Social distancing and quarantine could play a role, especially for patients with chronic diseases who might be more vigilant of their potential for respiratory infection. In addition, PH is a rare disease, and because testing is not universal, we could be underestimating the number of cases. Other hypothetical factors to consider are the underlying pathophysiology of PH and the medications used to treat PH and their implications in COVID-19. ER -