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Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a very rare disease. It leads to high blood pressure in the lung arteries (pulmonary hypertension).

Causes

In most cases, the cause of PVOD is unknown. The high blood pressure occurs in the pulmonary arteries. These lung arteries are directly connected to the right side of the heart.

The condition may be related to a viral infection. It may occur as a complication of certain diseases such as lupus, or bone marrow transplantation.

The disorder is most common among children and young adults. As the disease gets worse, it causes:

  • Narrowed pulmonary veins
  • Pulmonary artery hypertension
  • Congestion and swelling of the lungs

Possible risk factors for PVOD include:

  • Family history of the condition
  • Smoking
  • Exposure to substances like trichloroethylene or chemotherapy medicines
  • Systemic sclerosis (autoimmune skin disorder)

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine you and ask about your medical history and symptoms.

The exam may reveal:

Your provider may hear abnormal heart sounds when listening to the chest and lungs with a stethoscope.

The following tests may be done:

Treatment

There is currently no known effective medical treatment. However, the following medicines may be helpful for some people:

  • Medicines that widen the blood vessels (vasodilators)
  • Medicines that control the immune system response (such as azathioprine or steroids)

A lung transplant may be needed.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is often very poor in infants, with a survival rate of just a few weeks. Survival in adults may be months to a few years.

Possible Complications

Complications of PVOD may include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you have symptoms of this disorder.

Alternative Names

Pulmonary vaso-occlusive disease

References

Churg A, Wright JL. Pulmonary hypertension. In: Leslie KO, Wick MR, eds. Practical Pulmonary Pathology: A Diagnostic Approach. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 12.

Lammi MR, Mathai SC. Pulmonary hypertension: general approach. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 83.

Maron BA. Pulmonary hypertension. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 88.

Review Date 4/29/2022

Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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