What medical conditions may require the use of medical gases beyond oxygen?

Medical gases can be crucial in managing various respiratory and systemic conditions, and pulmonary hypertension specifically highlights a scenario where more than just oxygen may be required. In pulmonary hypertension, the blood vessels that supply the lungs become narrowed, leading to increased blood pressure in these vessels and consequently reduced oxygenation of the blood. The use of medical gases in this context may include not only oxygen for supportive therapy but also other gases such as nitric oxide, which is used as a selective pulmonary vasodilator to help reduce the pressure in the pulmonary arteries and improve gas exchange.

Understanding the overall management of pulmonary hypertension involves recognizing that it is a complex condition often requiring targeted treatment strategies that go beyond standard oxygen therapy alone. In contrast, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma attacks, and pneumonia may necessitate oxygen for alleviating hypoxia, they primarily rely on standard oxygen therapy without the urgent need for alternative gases found in the context of pulmonary hypertension.