Pulmonary Vascular Disease Doctor in Michigan
Pulmonary Vascular Disease Doctor in Oakland County and Wayne County Michigan
What is Pulmonary Vascular Disease?
Pulmonary Vascular Disease (PVD) is a broad term that refers to any condition that affects the blood vessels within the lungs.
How is Pulmonary Vascular Disease (PVD) diagnosed?
Pulmonary vascular diseases (PVDs) encompass a group of conditions that affect the heart and lungs. The diagnosis of PVDs involves a comprehensive evaluation, including medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing such as echocardiograms, right heart catheterization, chest X-rays, and pulmonary function tests.
Two common forms of PVDs are Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and Pulmonary Venous Thromboembolism (PVTE). PAH is characterized by increased pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs, while PVTE involves blockages in the veins that return blood from the lungs to the heart.
Dr. Asker Asmi, MD is a certified pulmonologist, and sleep disorders doctor in Michigan
Dr. Asmi’s Beaumont Hospital Page
Dr. Asmi’s Henry Ford Profile Page
Dr. Asmi is a Pulmonologist and sleep specialist based in Michigan that specializes in advanced COPD. He follows a multidisciplinary treatment plan that includes nutrition, medicine, lifestyle changes, damage prevention and active treatment with close follow up. Doctor Asmi’s expertise include Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Asmi is also affiliated with Beaumont Hospital and runs a private practice in Riverview, MI.
What are the symptoms of PVDs?
The symptoms of PVDs can vary depending on the specific condition and its severity. Common signs for both PAH and PVTE include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and swelling in the legs and ankles. PAH may also present with a racing heart, dizziness, or fainting upon exertion. In contrast, PVTE symptoms might include rapid breathing, coughing up blood, and sudden worsening of breathlessness.
What are the causes of PVDs?
PAH can be caused by various underlying conditions such as connective tissue disorders, congenital heart defects, and chronic lung diseases. The exact causes are not fully understood in many cases but involve the narrowing or hardening of the small arteries in the lungs and the thickening of the walls of the arteries. PVTE occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the veins carrying blood from the legs to the heart, dislodging and traveling to the lungs, obstructing blood flow.
What are the treatments for pulmonary vascular disease?
The treatment for PAH focuses on reducing pressure in the pulmonary arteries by using medications like vasodilators, diuretics, and endothelin receptor antagonists. In some cases, a lung transplant may be considered as a last resort. For PVTE, anticoagulant therapy is typically administered to prevent further clot growth and dissolve existing blood clots. Thrombolytic medications can be given intravenously to rapidly dissolve the clot or mechanically through a catheter for larger clots.
What is Pulmonary Vascular Disease?
The prevention of PVDs revolves around managing underlying conditions, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding risk factors where possible. For PAH, it is essential to control any associated heart or lung diseases and regularly monitor blood pressure levels. Patients with PVTE can reduce their risk by wearing compression stockings, staying mobile, and avoiding long periods of immobility.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the risk factors for PVTE?
Risk factors for PVTE include obesity, smoking, cancer, trauma, and surgery, among others. Long periods of immobility significantly increase the risk of developing a blood clot in the legs that can travel to the lungs.
What are the side effects of anticoagulant therapy?
Common side effects of anticoagulant therapy include bruising, nosebleeds, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain and diarrhea. In rare cases, serious bleeding complications can occur. Regular monitoring by a healthcare professional is essential when undergoing anticoagulation treatment.