TABLE 3.

UNIQUE FEATURES OF PEDIATRIC PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

•Developmental biology of the cardiopulmonary system

•Timing of vascular injury during susceptible periods of growth and adaptation

•Impact of lung vascular disease beyond PH alone (eg, distal lung growth in BPD, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, lung hypoplasia, congenital heart disease)

•Differences in genetics, maturational changes in vascular function and growth, and responsiveness to therapeutic strategies

•Developmental differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, potential adverse effects

•Importance of “preventive” strategies and approaches that target “reverse remodeling,” as well

•Maturational changes in right and left ventricular function

PH indicates pulmonary hypertension; BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia.