title: [Diagnosis and classification of pulmonary arterial hypertension].
abstract: The clinical classification of types of pulmonary hypertension has made it possible to better standardize the approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients, to perform clinical studies among homogeneous patients, and to discover common laboratory abnormalities that may serve as markers or help elucidate mechanisms of disease. Pulmonary arterial hypertension groups together different diseases that affect the small-caliber pulmonary arteries and lead to a progressive increase in pulmonary arterial resistance and right heart failure. A specific diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is generally based on a detailed and methodical clinical evaluation. Pulmonary biopsy is rarely indicated. Work-up in a center specialized in the management of this disease is frequently appropriate when the cause of the hypertension is not clear or when a specific treatment is envisaged.
authors.affiliation: Institut de cardiologie et de pneumologie de l'université Laval, service de pneumologie, Hôpital Laval, Québec, Canada. steeveprovencher@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Provencher
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jais
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sitbon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Humbert
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonneau
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors