Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen.? The changes resulting from PH make it difficult for the heart to push blood through the pulmonary arteries, causing the heart to become weak and possibly to develop failure.? Understanding the causes and treatment of PH can help heart failure specialists prevent heart failure due to PH.

This issue of Critical Care Clinics focuses on Mechanical Ventilation and Ventricular Assist Devices, with topics including: Targeted management approach to cardiogenic shock; Prevention and treatment of right heart failure during left ventricular assist device support therapy; Complications of durable left ventricular assist device support therapy; Patient and device management on left ventricular assist device support therapy; Challenges and future directions in left ventricular assist device support therapy; Monitoring global and regional mechanics; Asynchrony consequences and management; Determinants and prevention of ventilator-induced lung injury; Extracorporeal gas exchange; Non-invasive options; Mobilization and VIDD avoidance; Initiating and discontinuing invasive support; and Automation of ventilation.