Progress in cardiovascular diseases
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The lungs are the only organ that receives the entire cardiac output with every stroke. The pulmonary circulation is normally a high-flow, low-resistance, low-pressure system that carries blood into the pulmonary microcirculation. ⋯ The functional status of the pulmonary circulation and the levels of PVR and PAP ultimately determine the outcome of patients with PAH. Study of the pressure-flow relationships in the pulmonary vascular bed will provide an improved appreciation of the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension.