Final answer:
In the case of an 85-year-old male with increased pulmonary pressure causing right heart failure, the most likely complication that can cause his heart to fail is left heart failure, due to the interconnectedness of the heart's two sides and the potential for blood 'backup' and pulmonary edema.
Step-by-step explanation:
An 85-year-old African-American male with increased pulmonary pressure causing right heart failure should be monitored for complications. Of the options listed, his heart can fail as a result of b. Left heart failure. This is because the right and left sides of the heart are interconnected; when the right heart fails, it can lead to a rise in pressure in the vena cavae and a subsequent drop in pressure in the arteries to the lungs. On the other hand, left-heart failure causes a rise in pressure entering the left side and a drop in aortal pressure, which can exacerbate the condition of the right heart by causing a 'backup' of blood in the pulmonary circulation. This can lead to pulmonary edema, where excessive leakage of water occurs in the lungs due to increased hydrostatic pressure, as well as other serious health issues.