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SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb

Kovacs, G; Olschewski, H.
Screening in pulmonary hypertension
PNEUMOLOGE. 2017; 14(3): 153-159. Doi: 10.1007/s10405-017-0105-2
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Leading authors Med Uni Graz: Kovacs Gabor
Co-authors Med Uni Graz: Olschewski Horst
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Abstract:: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease and due to its low prevalence and lack of simple specific diagnostic tests, general screening is not recommended. Nevertheless, in patients with chronic exertional dyspnea, which is the main symptom of PAH, in addition to the frequent causes of dyspnea, such as left heart and lung diseases or anemia, pulmonary hypertension (PH) should also be considered. The most important non-invasive diagnostic examination method is echocardiography with the focus on PH. Furthermore, simple tools, such as right axis deviation in the electrocardiogram (ECG), right-sided cardiomegaly in chest XaEurorays and increased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or NaEuroterminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, may reveal important signs of PH. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing may add important diagnostic information in cases of unclear symptoms. Specialized computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods enable the non-invasive assessment of pulmonary hemodynamics. It is especially important to perform targeted investigations in patients at risk for PAH. In patients with systemic sclerosis annual screening with echocardiography is recommended even in asymptomatic patients. In patients with congenital heart disease, HIV infections, portal hypertension or after pulmonary embolism and additional exertion dyspnea, an active screening for PH is recommended. Patients with severe lung diseases and echocardiographic signs of severe PH should be referred to a PH expert center.
Find related publications in this database (Keywords): Dyspnea; Echocardiography; Systemic sclerosis; Cardiopulmonary exercise test; Diagnostic techniques and procedures