Figure 3

Pathophysiology of PPHN. Parenchymal lung disease and ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch result in hypoxemia. Increased pulmonary vascular resistance results in reduced pulmona ry blood flow and right to left shunt through PDA and/or PFO. Pulmonary hypertension is often associated with systemic hypotension with deviation of the interventricular septum to the left. The right subclavian artery (and blood flowing to the right upper extremity) is always preductal. The left subclavian artery may be preductal, juxtaductal or postductal. Hence, preductal oxygen saturations should be obtained from the right upper extremity and compared with lower extremity to assess differential cyanosis. PA – pulmonary artery; RV – right ventricle; LV – left ventricle; TR – tricuspid regurgitation; RA – right atrium; LA – left atrium; PDA – patent ductus arteriosus; PFO – patent foramen ovale. (copyright Satyan Lakshminrusimha).