REVIEWS   

Minerva Pneumologica 2008 December;47(4):165-74

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Diagnostic evaluation for pulmonary arterial hypertension

Modrykamien A. M., Minai O. A.

Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH, USA

Full text temporarily not available online. Contact us

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic disorder of the pulmonary circulation defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) >25 mmHg at rest or >30 mmHg during exercise, without concomitant elevation in pulmonary venous pressure. Its early detection, with early institution of therapy, is thought to possibly impact reversibility and therefore improve survival. A high clinical index of suspicion should be maintained in patients with symptoms in the presence of predisposing conditions. Optimal care of patients with suspected PAH requires a multidisciplinary approach with collaboration between community resources and physicians with expertise in pulmonary, cardiac, and rheumatologic disorders. This review will discuss the clinical manifestations of patients with suspected PAH and the use of imaging, pulmonary function tests, serologic tests, biomarkers, and right heart catheterization to arrive at the correct diagnosis.