Imaging of pulmonary hypertension: Pictorial essay.

Imaging of pulmonary hypertension: Pictorial essay. Chest. 2019 Apr 11;: Authors: Altschul E, Remy-Jardin M, Machnicki S, Sulica R, Moore JA, Singh A, Raoof S Abstract Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an end result of a diverse array of complex clinical conditions, which invoke hemodynamic and pathophysiological changes in the pulmonary vasculature. Many patients' symptoms begin with dyspnea on exertion for which screening tests like chest roentgenograms and more definitive non-invasive tests like CT scans are ordered initially. It is imperative that clinicians are cognizant of subtle clues on these imaging modalities that alert them to the possibility of PH. These clues may serve as a stepping stone towards more advanced non-invasive (ECHO) and invasive (right heart catheterization) testing. On the CT scan, the signs are classified into mediastinal and lung parenchymal abnormalities. In addition to suspecting the diagnosis of PH, this paper provides a pictorial essay to guide health care professionals in identifying the etiology of PH. This paper also provides concrete definitions, where ever possible, of what constitutes abnormalities in PH, such as dilated pulmonary artery(ies), right ventricle, pruning of vessels and thickness of free wall of the right ventricle. The sensitivities and specificities of each sign are enumerated. The common radiographic and clinical features of many different etiologies of PH are tabulated for the con...
Source: Chest - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Chest Source Type: research