[Anaesthesia in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension].

The perioperative management of patients with pulmonary hypertension requires an in-depth knowledge of the underlying disease, its related pathophysiology, effects of anaesthesia and surgery, as well as the appropriate pharmacotherapy. With respect to preoperative assessment, it is essential to review all available diagnostic findings, evaluate the patient's physical state, and to plan the anaesthetic procedure. Intraoperatively, the prevention of increases in pulmonary resistance and right ventricular decompensation appears essential. For this purpose, stress, hypothermia, decreased systemic perfusion, hypercapnia, hypoxemia, acidosis, and invasive mechanical ventilation should be avoided. If the pulmonary artery pressure exacerbates, application of inhaled nitric oxide or prostacyclins (iloprost), phosphodiesterase-III-inhibitors (milrinone) and phosphodiesterase-V-inhibitors (sildenafil), reflect first-line treatment options. In order to support the right ventricle, inotropes (adrenalin, dobutamine, levosimendan) or inodilators (milrinone) increase its contractility. Dependent on severity of disease and the magnitude of surgical intervention, patients with pulmonary hypertension require a specific continuous monitoring as well as trained staff in the postoperative period.