Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Systemic Hypertension

The study on 10 patients with refractory systemic hypertension found that long-term minoxidil therapy significantly reduced systemic blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance without affecting pulmonary vascular resistance or mean pulmonary artery pressure. Minoxidil did not cause or worsen pulmonary hypertension, provided fluid retention and heart rate increases were managed. All patients experienced increased hair growth, with one discontinuing due to hypertrichosis. No atrial hemorrhagic lesions or dysrhythmias were observed. The study highlighted that increased pulmonary vascular resistance was common in longstanding, poorly-controlled systemic hypertension.