Protocolo diagnóstico y terapéutico de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition whose diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion. Exertional dyspnea is the most presenting symptom and allows proper choice of complementary tests. Transthoracic doppler-echocardiography provides pulmonary artery systolic pressure estimates and basic information about possible etiologies of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Right heart catheterization is recommended in all cases of suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension to confirm the diagnosis. Responders can be identified by performing an acute vasodilator challenge during right heart catheterization. Pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment requires precise etiological diagnosis and proper risk stratification based on clinical parameters and additional test results. The therapy of pulmonary hypertension is characterized by a complex strategy which includes general measures and specific and supportive therapies.