Follow-Up of Pulmonary Hypertension With Echocardiography

Abstract

Individual patient response to effective therapies for pulmonary hypertension (PAH) is variable and difficult to quantify. Consequently, management decisions regarding initiation and continuation of therapy are highly dependent on the results of investigations. Registry data show that changes in cardiac index, mean right atrial pressure, and mean pulmonary artery pressure have the greatest influence on survival. It is recognized that pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) responses to PAH-specific drugs are heterogeneous. However, follow-up testing is strongly focused on assessing changes in PASP and functional status (6-min walk). The goals of therapy, which should be highlighted in follow-up ima..