Diagnostic and management dilemmas in pulmonary hypertension

Introduction Although current international guidelines provide comprehensive evidence-based guidance for the management of pulmonary hypertension, clinicians are still regularly faced with uncertainty regarding correct diagnosis and optimal treatment. Methods Ten diagnostic and management dilemmas were formulated by a panel of experts in the field of pulmonary hypertension. Current evidence was reviewed and a practical approach suggested for each dilemma. Results Diagnostic and management dilemmas discussed include pulmonary hypertension with high cardiac output, idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension in the presence of cardiopulmonary comorbidities, pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease, pulmonary hypertension and obesity, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension mimics and Group 5 pulmonary hypertension associated with sarcoidosis, fibrosing mediastinitis and neurofibromatosis type 1. Conclusions The suggested approaches are informed by a review of existing evidence and guidelines, as well as clinical experience.