Why the study?
What are the appropriate diagnostic strategies for patients with suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension?
What are the appropriate diagnostic strategies for patients with suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension?
This primer emphasizes the critical roles of echocardiography for initial screening and right heart catheterization for definitive diagnosis and treatment planning in suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Supports echocardiography for initial PAH screening and catheterization for confirmation; leaves open optimal noninvasive integration.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension should be considered in patients who present with nonspecific symptoms such as dyspnea or dizziness after more common causes have been ruled out. Echocardiography can help in the diagnosis: special attention should be given to assess the tricuspid valve and right ventricular function. Before starting treatment, a patient should undergo right heart catheterization to accurately measure the pressures and assess right ventricular function, which help in appropriate selection of therapy.
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Minai et al. (2007) studied this question.
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