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Echocardiography in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Comprehensive Evaluation and Technical Considerations
Author(s) -
Weronika Topyła-Putowska,
Michał Tomaszewski,
Andrzej Wysokiński,
A. Tomaszewski
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2077-0383
DOI - 10.3390/jcm10153229
Subject(s) - medicine , pulmonary hypertension , cardiology , ventricle , pulmonary artery , gold standard (test) , hemodynamics , heart failure , radiology
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive disease in which there is a persistent, abnormal increase in pulmonary artery pressure. Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are nonspecific and mainly associated with progressive right ventricular failure. The diagnosis of PAH is a multistep process and often requires the skillful use of several tests. The gold standard for the diagnosis of PAH is hemodynamic testing. Echocardiography currently plays an important role in the diagnostic algorithm of PAH as it is minimally invasive and readily available. Moreover, many echocardiographic parameters are closely related to pulmonary hemodynamics. It allows assessment of the right heart's structure and function, estimation of the pressure in the right ventricle, right atrium, and pulmonary trunk, and exclusion of other causes of elevated pulmonary bed pressure. Echocardiographic techniques are constantly evolving, and recently, measurements made using new techniques, especially 3D visualization, have become increasingly important. In echocardiographic assessment, it is crucial to know current guidelines and new reports that organize the methodology and allow standardization of the examination. This review aims to discuss the different echocardiographic techniques used to evaluate patients with PAH.

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