Diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Accurate diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is a challenging and complex process that requires a high index of clinical suspicion from even the most astute clinician. This article discusses the use of a variety of noninvasive tests that can help define the population of patients in whom invasive cardiac catheterization should be pursued. It points out the vagaries and limitations of electrocardiography and the radiographic and echocardiographic clues to the diagnosis. Ultimately, right- and, often, concomitant left-heart catheterization is required to establish the diagnosis and distinguish pulmonary arterial hypertension from pulmonary venous hypertension.
Trow
Terence K
TK
Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 208057, New Haven, CT 06520-8057, USA. terence.trow@yale.edu
McArdle
John R
JR
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010808:Physical Examination; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests