Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

ABSTRACT: Advances in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have resulted in significant improvements in outcomes for patients with this devastating and progressive disease. However, because of the non-specific nature of its symptoms, and the low level of suspicion among clinicians, prompt and accurate diagnosis of PAH as a rare disease remains a challenge. This article explains some of the issues that need to be addressed when faced with a patient with suspected PAH and describes how noninvasive and invasive techniques can be used effectively to ensure an accurate diagnosis. The availability of PAH-specific therapy means that once diagnosed, patients have a much greater chance of survival than they would have had in the past. However, despite improved survival, morta

SUBMITTER: Vachiery JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9487223 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature