MINIREVIEW

Changing Concepts of the Pulmonary Plexiform Lesion

Received February 29, 2000
Accepted April 3, 2000

Summary
The plexiform lesion is the hallmark of plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy, which accompanies severe primary pulmonary hypertension. Over the years, a wide variety of hypotheses have been offered to explain the pathogenesis of these glomoid structures. Most recently, the new techniques and concepts of molecular biology have been applied to the study of the plexiform lesion and have indicated that they are composed of phenotypically abnormal endothelial cells with different pathogenic origins in primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension. The new approaches and concepts have suggested new vistas for exploration.

Key words
Plexiform lesion · Plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy · Primary pulmonary hypertension · Pulmonary giogenesis

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