Abstract
Patients with suspected pulmonary hypertension (PH) should be evaluated using a multimodality approach to ensure that they receive a correct diagnosis. The series of investigations required includes clinical evaluation, noninvasive imaging techniques and right heart catheterisation (considered to be the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of PH). Current guidelines recommend that a detailed echocardiographic assessment is performed in all patients with suspected PH.
In this review we summarise a protocol adopted by the National Pulmonary Hypertension Centres of UK and Ireland and approved by the British Society of Echocardiography for the evaluation of these patients. The views and measurements described are recommended for diagnosis, assisting in prognosis and providing a noninvasive means of following disease progression or response to therapy.
Footnotes
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Statement of Interest
P. Nihoyannopoulos has received research and educational grants from General Electric and from BRACCO Pharmaceuticals for organising educational meetings. He has also received fees (less than £1,000) for consulting from General Electric.
Provenance
Publication of this peer-reviewed article was supported Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Switzerland (article sponsor, European Respiratory Review issue 125).
- Received June 8, 2012.
- Accepted July 3, 2012.
- ©ERS 2012
