title: Diagnosis and evaluation of pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) relies on a high index of suspicion. In patients with symptoms or chest radiographic findings suggestive of PH, a detailed history and physical examination followed by early assessment with a transthoracic echocardiogram, ventilation-perfusion scanning, chest computed tomography, pulmonary function testing, and nocturnal oximetry screening can provide valuable information about etiology and severity. Right heart catheterization should follow in patients who are symptomatic or who demonstrate moderate to severe PH by echocardiography and are candidates for treatment. Patients at risk for developing PH should undergo serial echocardiography and pulmonary function testing to assess for disease development and progression. Genetic testing is not currently recommended in the routine evaluation of patients with a diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Marie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Budev
authors.forename: Alejandro C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Arroliga
authors.forename: Constance A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jennings
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008487:Medical History Taking; D012307:Risk Factors; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio