Right-Heart Function Related to the Results of Acute Pulmonary Vasodilator Testing in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Caused by Connective Tissue Disease

Right-heart function is better in responders to acute pulmonary vasodilator testing than in nonresponders among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases, and pulmonary vasodilators may improve RV function in nonresponders and cardiac index in responders. RV S′ is a simple and clinically useful tool for predicting the results of pulmonary vasodilator testing.