The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a screening tool called the Listing of Impairments to identify claimants who are so severely impaired that they cannot work at all and thus immediately qualify for benefits. In this report, the IOM makes several recommendations for improving SSA's capacity to determine disability benefits more quickly and efficiently using the Listings.

Detailing state-of-the-art developments in the various aspects of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), this practical reference explores the history, most current scientific concepts, and treatments of this disease. Includes new advances not yet formally published! Written by nearly 30 of the top international experts in the field, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension addresses the general histological features of the normal and hypertensive pulmonary vasculature and the pathology of PPH discusses etiological possibilities of pathogenesis, common morphological features, and findings in experimental models examines risks factors for PPH and looks separately at familial PPH and PPH in children presents an approach to the differential diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, emphasizing the recognition of PPH elucidates the invasive and noninvasive modalities available for obtaining qualitative and quantitative hemodynamic data for the diagnosis of PPH covers a variety of therapeutic options and much more!

First book dedicated to this disease, previously thought to be incurable, but with the advent of new drugs, now amenable to management and a much improved prognosis for patients From the PAH Association, the leading experts in field Incorporates the latest AACP management guidelines Includes evidence-based treatment algorithms based on the recently updated ACCP Guidelines for Medical Treatment Aimed at specialists in pulmonology and cardiovascular disease, this volume provides the clinician with the most up to date information on the effective management of PAH

This open access book focuses on the molecular mechanism of congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, offering new insights into the development of pulmonary circulation and the ductus arteriosus. It describes in detail the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and morphogenesis of the heart, lungs and ductus arteriosus, covering a range of topics such as gene functions, growth factors, transcription factors and cellular interactions, as well as stem cell engineering technologies. The book also presents recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of lung development, pulmonary hypertension and molecular regulation of the ductus arteriosus. As such, it is an ideal resource for physicians, scientists and investigators interested in the latest findings on the origins of congenital heart disease and potential future therapies involving pulmonary circulation/hypertension and the ductus arteriosus.

Fifth Edition, 2013 Revision. Pulmonary Hypertension: A Patient's Survival Guide serves as a soup-to-nuts resource book covering many of the questions patients and their loved ones might have about living with pulmonary hypertension. The book (350+ pages) includes topics like the mechanics of PH, the latest treatments, patient care and lifestyle issues.

Pulmonary hypertension is a world�wide problem which is gaining greater attention and is more frequently diagnosed now, more than the past ten or twenty years, because of the use and interpretation of echocardiograms. Pulmonary Hypertension raises questions and discusses concepts which will address the issue of etiology of pulmonary hypertension, its pathobiology with its close proximity to cancer, and the consequences of severe PH which is right heart failure and death.

An accessible reference text to help clinicians in all relevant specialties understand how to diagnose and manage the conditions of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary areterial hypertension, including information on when and whom to refer patients to.

This volume focuses on current evidence-based pharmacological treatments of various forms of pulmonary hypertension and provides a comprehensive review of the latest developments in this area. The first part of the book covers the definition, classification, pathophysiology, pathology, biomarkers and animal models of the disease, thus laying the conceptual basis for what follows. The middle section provides an overview of the established therapies, such as calcium channel blockers, prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and inhaled nitric oxide. The last section explores novel pathways and emerging therapeutic approaches including soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, Rho-kinase inhibitors, inhibitors of serotonin receptors and transporters, peptide growth factors, vasoactive peptides, modulators of redox equilibrium and cyclic nucleotide homeostasis, as well as immunosuppressive and anti-proliferative agents. Particular attention is given to the clinical applications of these experimental therapies, that are on the horizon. The book thus spans the continuum from basic science to clinical applications.

This book explains the pharmacological relationships between the various systems in the human body. It offers a comprehensive overview of the pharmacology concerning the autonomic, central, and peripheral nervous systems. Presenting up-to-date information on chemical mediators and their significance, it highlights the therapeutic aspects of several diseases affecting the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrinal, and hematopoietic systems. The book also includes drug therapy for microbial and neoplastic diseases. It also comprises sections on immunopharmacology, dermatological, and ocular pharmacology providing valuable insights into these emerging and recent topics. Covering the diverse groups of drugs acting on different systems, the book reviews their actions, clinical uses, adverse effects, interactions, and subcellular mechanisms of action. It is divided into 11 parts, subdivided into several chapters that evaluate the basic pharmacological principles that govern the different types of body systems. This book is intended for academicians, researchers, and clinicians in industry and academic institutions in pharmaceutical, pharmacological sciences, pharmacy, medical sciences, physiology, neurosciences, biochemistry, molecular biology and other allied health sciences.

Critical Care of Children with Heart Disease will summarize the comprehensive medical and surgical management of the acutely-ill patient with congenital and acquired cardiac disease. The aim of the book is to teach bedside physicians, nurses and other caregivers, basic and practical concepts of anatomy, pathophysiology, surgical techniques and peri-operative management of critically ill children and adults with congenital heart disease, allowing these professionals to anticipate, prevent or else treat such pathologies. The book will cover specific cardiac lesions, review their anatomy, pathophysiology, current preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative assessment and management; medical and surgical complications will be briefly described with each lesion further discussed in specific chapters. In addition, the book will have dedicated chapters to management of cardiac patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, hemofiltration, hemo or peritoneal dialysis and plasma exchange. Practical guidelines for cardiovascular nursing care will be also included.