Cribado de la hipertensión pulmonar en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas

Unfortunately, clinical findings, mainly effort dyspnea, are late and nonspecific and consequently screening tools are essential in patients at risk, such as those with connective tissue diseases. Chest x-ray, electrocardiogram and the 6-minute walk test are useful to guide diagnosis, monitor treatment and predict survival. Annual screening is based on transthoracic Doppler echocardiography and pulmonary function tests with diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. Suspected diagnoses must be confirmed by right heart catheterization, which continues to be the gold standard.