Relative Importance of Baseline and Longitudinal Evaluation in the Follow-Up of Vasodilator Therapy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative value of baseline and follow-up echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and right ventricular (RV) function in assessing response to vasodilator therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Background: Routine follow-up of PASP and RV function is widely obtained in patients undergoing treatment for PAH, but the value of this reassessment is uncertain. Methods: Of 162 prospectively recruited patients with PAH, 96 were included in this analysis of patients with ≥3 sequential echocardiographic studies. PASP and RV function (including right ventricular free wall strain [RVFWS]) were measured at ..