PAH

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

PAH
Stands forPulmonary arterial hypertension
Meanings2
CategoriesMedical, Science & Engineering

PAH has two meanings. It stands for Pulmonary arterial hypertension (respiratory) or Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (chemistry).

Meanings of PAH at a glance

#PAH stands forContext
1Pulmonary arterial hypertensionMedical › Respiratory
2Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonScience & Engineering › Chemistry

1. Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Medical · Respiratory Abbreviations

Group 1 pulmonary hypertension, in which the small pulmonary arteries narrow and stiffen, raising resistance to blood flow and eventually causing right heart failure. It may be idiopathic, inherited (often BMPR2 variants), or associated with connective tissue disease, drugs and toxins, HIV, portal hypertension or congenital heart disease.

Example: PAH associated with scleroderma; on ambrisentan and tadalafil, 6MWD improved to 420 m.

Diagnosis requires right heart catheterization showing a mean pulmonary artery pressure above 20 mmHg, wedge pressure of 15 or less and pulmonary vascular resistance above 2 Wood units. Treatments target the endothelin, nitric oxide and prostacyclin pathways, and sotatercept, approved in 2024, added a new mechanism. The appetite suppressant fenfluramine and methamphetamine are known causes. Most patients are women.

2. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Science & Engineering · Chemistry Abbreviations

Compound made of two or more fused benzene rings, such as naphthalene, anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene. PAHs form whenever organic matter burns incompletely, in vehicle exhaust, wood smoke, cigarette smoke and charred meat, and several are classified as carcinogens.

Example: Soil near the old gasworks contained PAH concentrations above residential cleanup levels.

Benzo[a]pyrene is a recognized human carcinogen and the best-studied PAH. Coal tar, creosote and some pavement sealants are major environmental sources. PAHs have also been detected in interstellar space. Older literature sometimes uses PNA, for polynuclear aromatics.

More respiratory abbreviations

  • NSIP – Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia
  • OHS – Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
  • OSA – Obstructive sleep apnea
  • P/F – PaO2/FiO2 ratio
  • PAP – Positive airway pressure
  • PE – Pulmonary embolism
  • PEEP – Positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PEF – Peak expiratory flow

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

More chemistry abbreviations

  • NH3 – Ammonia
  • NMR – Nuclear magnetic resonance
  • NTP – Normal temperature and pressure
  • O3 – Ozone
  • PC – Polycarbonate
  • PCB – Polychlorinated biphenyl
  • PEG – Polyethylene glycol (laxative and bowel preparation)
  • PET – Polyethylene terephthalate

See all 106 chemistry abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.