Lungendurchblutungsstörungen

Lungendurchblutungsstörungen, also known as pulmonary perfusion disorders, refer to conditions where blood flow through the lungs is impaired. This can lead to reduced oxygenation of the blood and affect the lungs' ability to function properly. The lungs have a dual blood supply: the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation, and the bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood to the lung tissue itself. Disruptions in either of these circulations can result in a lungendurchblutungsstörung.

Common causes include pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot blocks a pulmonary artery, significantly reducing blood flow to a portion of the lung. Other causes can include conditions that affect the pulmonary blood vessels, such as pulmonary hypertension, vasculitis, or compression of the vessels by tumors or other masses. Certain lung diseases that damage lung tissue and alveoli, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pneumonia, can also indirectly lead to altered perfusion. Congenital heart defects that cause abnormal blood flow between the heart and lungs can also manifest as perfusion issues.

Symptoms vary depending on the severity and cause of the disorder but can include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, and cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin due to low oxygen levels). Diagnosis typically involves imaging techniques like chest X-rays, CT scans, and ventilation-perfusion scans, which assess both airflow and blood flow to different parts of the lungs. Treatment aims to address the underlying cause, for instance, by administering anticoagulants for pulmonary embolism, managing pulmonary hypertension, or treating the primary lung disease.