.Introduction
Pregnancy in women with pulmonary hypertension is
known to be associated with significantly high mortality rate
between 30% and 56% [1]. The physiologic changes that
occur during pregnancy and the peripartum period are
poorly tolerated in these patients. There are also acute con-
ditions associated with pregnancy that may be complicated
by severe pulmonary hypertension, such as, pulmonary and
amniotic fluid embolism. Majority of maternal deaths occur
during labor or within 1 month postpartum [2].
Pulmonary hypertension is defined as an increase in
mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) (mPAP) >25mmHg
at rest as assessed by right heart catheterization (RHC).
Recent developments have been made in the treatment of
pulmonary hypertension, and advances in the multidisci-
plinary approach are believed to have an impact on the
high maternal mortality rate [3]. However, management of
critically ill patients with hemodynamically significant pul-
monary hypertension remains challenging. In this paper we
review the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill parturient
with pulmonary hypertension of different etiologies and
discuss treatment strategies.