Pulmonary Vascular Resistance
Also written as PVR.
This elevated pressure is due to a combination of increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), increased pulmonary blood flow, and/or increased left atrial pressure.
What our notes say
- This elevated pressure is due to a combination of increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), increased pulmonary blood flow, and/or increased left atrial pressure. (Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale)
- | Pulmonary vasculature (arterioles & veins) – thin‑walled muscular vessels | Fibrotic distortion narrows vessels, raising pulmonary vascular resistance → secondary pulmonary hypertension and right‑heart strain (cor pulmonale). | (Interstitial Lung Diseases)
- It often appears after a few days, once the pulmonary vascular resistance falls. (Paediatrics Question Bank: 12 Clinical MCQs)
- Chronic increases in pulmonary vascular resistance lead to RV hypertrophy and eventual dilatation and failure. (Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale)
- Increased pulmonary vascular resistance → acute right ventricular strain/failure (cor pulmonale) (Pathology Mechanisms: Inflammation, PE, & Impaired Healing)
- Haemodynamic consequence: Obstruction → increased pulmonary vascular resistance → impaired gas exchange and hypoperfusion of lung parenchyma distal to the clot → hypoxaemia. (Cat. Pathology: Acute Inflammation, Mediators & Pulmonary Embolism)