Likelihood Of Pulmonary Hypertension Research Articles

The Cardiac Pulsed Wave Doppler Pattern of the Common Femoral Vein in Diagnosing the Likelihood of Severe Pulmonary Hypertension: Results from a Prospective Multicentric Study.

Background and Objectives: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a clinical condition with high mortality rates, particularly in patients over 65. Current guidelines recommend assessing the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension (LPH) using advanced echocardiography before proceeding to right heart catheterization. This study proposed using the common femoral vein (CFV), an accessible vein that reflects right atrial pressure, as an alternative method to assess the high likelihood of pulmonary hypertension (H-LPH). Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 175 emergency patients from three hospitals. Ultrasound assessed the pulsed wave Doppler (PW-Doppler) morphology of the CFV. This diagnostic yield for H-LPH was evaluated alongside traditional ultrasound parameters (right-to-left ventricular basal diameter ratio greater than 1 (RV > LV), septal flattening, right ventricular outflow acceleration time (RVOT) of less than 105 ms and/or mesosystolic notching, pulmonary artery diameter greater than the aortic root (AR) diameter or over 25 mm, early pulmonary regurgitation maximum velocity > 2.2 m/s; TAPSE/PASP less than 0.55, inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter over 21 mm with decreased inspiratory collapse, and right atrial (RA) area over 18 cm2). Results: The CFV's PW-Doppler cardiac pattern correlated strongly with H-LPH, showing a sensitivity (Sn) of 72% and a specificity (Sp) of 96%. RA dilation and TAPSE/PASP < 0.55 also played significant diagnostic roles. Conclusions: The CFV's PW-Doppler cardiac pattern is an effective indicator of H-LPH, allowing reliable exclusion of this condition when absent. This approach could simplify initial LPH evaluation in emergency settings or where echocardiographic resources are limited.

Relationship between changes observed in nailfold capillaroscopy and serological profile, lung fibrosis, and elevated risk of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease

Microvascular changes play a significant role in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The most serious complications of SSc and MCTD are lung fibrosis (LF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). To determine the relationship of the changes observed in capillaries with the serological profile, LF, PH, and finger ulcerations in patients with SSc and MCTD. The tested group comprised 80 persons (61 SSc, 19 MCTD); mean age 53.6 ±13.6 years. Patients were qualified to the LF group based on HRCT. Likelihood of PH was determined using echocardiography. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) was assessed using indirect immunofluorescence, while ANA profile, and sclerosis profile were assessed using EUROIMMUN kits, and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) using the ELISA method. Capillaroscopy was performed using the Nikon CPS 160 optical microscope. The following were found: a relationship between occurrence of anti-SS-A (p = 0.006) and anti-centromere B antibodies (p = 0.012) and ramified vessels, between anti-SS-B and capillary haemorrhages (p = 0.019), a positive correlation between NOR90 antibodies and winding loops (p = 0.021), PM-Scl 100 antibodies and enlarged vessels (p = 0.033), a negative correlation between Scl-70 antibodies and winding loops (p = 0.033), and a relationship between aCL and winding loops (p = 0.002). No relationship between the capillaroscopy image and PH risk was found. A positive correlation was found between avascularisation areas and LF and between giant capillaries and finger ulcerations. A negative correlation was found between U1-RNP antibodies and finger ulcerations (p = 0.009), and a positive correlation between antibodies to fibrillarin and ulcerations (p = 0.028). SS-A, SS-B and anti-centromere antibodies are associated with the late phase of sclerodermic microangiopathy. Avascularisation areas significantly correlate with a higher prevalence of LF. U1-RNP antibodies have a protective role, while anti-fibrillarin antibodies are the risk factor for finger ulcerations.

Multimodality Imaging of Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex, progressive abnormal physiologic and hemodynamic state seen in many conditions. The purpose of this review is to discuss the updated clinical and hemodynamic classification systems and diagnostic criteria of PH, discuss the role of noninvasive imaging for diagnosing PH, and outline a diagnostic pathway to facilitate targeted therapies. PH is defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) > 20 mmHg since the sixth World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension (WSPH) in 2018, a lower threshold than the longstanding definition of mPAP > 25 mmHg. Additionally, in 2018, Truong et al. established a four-tier classification for the diagnosis of PH based upon the degree of main pulmonary artery enlargement on computed tomography, whereby the likelihood of PH increases with increasing tier severity. Other noninvasive modalities, particularly echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), aid in prognostication of PH and drive clinical decision-making and treatment strategies. Multimodality imaging is paramount in the screening, diagnosis, and management of PH by providing anatomical, physiologic, functional, and prognostic information. Cumulative findings on echocardiography, ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy, computed tomography, and CMR imaging can often identify the etiology of PH and provide insight into pathophysiology and disease stage.

Echocardiographic Findings in Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia

The aim of this study was to characterize the echocardiographic phenotype of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and its relation to biomarkers. Seventy-four patients (59 ± 13 years old, 78% male) admitted with COVID-19 were included after referral for transthoracic echocardiography as part of routine care. A level 1 British Society of Echocardiography transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess chamber size and function, valvular disease, and likelihood of pulmonary hypertension. The chief abnormalities were right ventricle (RV) dilatation (41%) and RV dysfunction (27%). RV impairment was associated with increased D-dimer and C-reactive protein levels. In contrast, left ventricular function was hyperdynamic or normal in most (89%) patients.

Uncovering the mechanisms of exertional dyspnoea in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.

The prevailing view is that exertional dyspnoea in patients with combined idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and emphysema (CPFE) can be largely explained by severe hypoxaemia. However, there is little evidence to support these assumptions.We prospectively contrasted the sensory and physiological responses to exercise in 42 CPFE and 16 IPF patients matched by the severity of exertional hypoxaemia. Emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis were quantified using computed tomography. Inspiratory constraints were assessed in a constant work rate test: capillary blood gases were obtained in a subset of patients.CPFE patients had lower exercise capacity despite less extensive fibrosis compared to IPF (p=0.004 and 0.02, respectively). Exertional dyspnoea was the key limiting symptom in 24 CPFE patients who showed significantly lower transfer factor, arterial carbon dioxide tension and ventilatory efficiency (higher minute ventilation (V'E)/carbon dioxide output (V'CO2 ) ratio) compared to those with less dyspnoea. However, there were no between-group differences in the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography (p=0.44). High dead space/tidal volume ratio, low capillary carbon dioxide tension emphysema severity (including admixed emphysema) and traction bronchiectasis were related to a high V'E/V'CO2 ratio in the more dyspnoeic group. V'E/V'CO2 nadir >50 (OR 9.43, 95% CI 5.28-13.6; p=0.0001) and total emphysema extent >15% (2.25, 1.28-3.54; p=0.01) predicted a high dyspnoea burden associated with severely reduced exercise capacity in CPFEContrary to current understanding, hypoxaemia per se is not the main determinant of exertional dyspnoea in CPFE. Poor ventilatory efficiency due to increased "wasted" ventilation in emphysematous areas and hyperventilation holds a key mechanistic role that deserves therapeutic attention.

High-resolution computerized tomography changes in diffuse parenchymal lung disease from chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis related to bird antigen.

Background:Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is the most common cause of diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) in India. There is no data regarding the avian antigen exposure-associated DPLD from the country.Methods:Chronic HP from exposure to avian antigen was diagnosed when the high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) showed features for HP and was supported by the history of exposure to pigeons, the presence of precipitin antibodies (IgG) to avian antigen in high titre with negative rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, and no clinical clue for a collagen vascular disease. The HRCT changes were noted on Likert scale (0–5) in terms of affection of peripheral and/or axial involvement, reticulation, honeycombing, haze, mosaic, traction bronchiectasis, pleural reactions, features of pulmonary hypertension, and air cysts. Cardiomegaly and independent cardiac chamber enlargement were also recorded.Results:The lower lobes were predominantly (65.6%) affected with similar frequency (78.1) of peripheral and axial parenchymal affection. The parenchymal changes in HRCT were haze or ground-glass opacity (100%), mosaic appearance (93.75%), reticulations (68.75%), traction bronchiectasis (34.3%), air cysts (21.8%), and honeycombing (9.37%). Pleural reactions, though not described so far, were found in 50% of cases. Features of pulmonary hypertension (87.5%), cardiomegaly (50%), left and right atrial enlargement (81.2% and 78.1%), and right ventricular enlargement (31.2%) were the common echocardiography findings.Conclusion:Chronic HP from avian exposure shows predominantly lower lobe involvement with haze, reticulation, features of pulmonary hypertension, and pleural reactions as common HRCT findings. The likelihood of pulmonary hypertension appears high and although honeycombing is often present, the classical UIP pattern has not been found.

Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema in Scleroderma-Related Lung Disease Has a Major Confounding Effect on Lung Physiology and Screening for Pulmonary Hypertension.

To assess the prevalence of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the effect of CPFE on the pulmonary function tests used to evaluate the severity of SSc-related ILD and the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension (PH). High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans were obtained in 333 patients with SSc-related ILD and were evaluated for the presence of emphysema and the extent of ILD. The effects of emphysema on the associations between pulmonary function variables and the extent of SSc-related ILD as visualized on HRCT and echocardiographic evidence of PH were quantified. Emphysema was present in 41 (12.3%) of the 333 patients with SSc-related ILD, in 26 (19.7%) of 132 smokers, and in 15 (7.5%) of 201 lifelong nonsmokers. When the extent of fibrosis was taken into account, emphysema was associated with significant additional differences from the expected values for diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) (average reduction of 24.1%; P < 0.0005), and the forced vital capacity (FVC)/DLco ratio (average increase of 34.8%; P < 0.0005) but not FVC. These effects were identical in smokers and nonsmokers. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of emphysema had a greater effect than echocardiographically determined PH on the FVC/DLco ratio, regardless of whether it was analyzed as a continuous variable or using a threshold value of 1.6 or 2.0. Among patients with SSc-related ILD, emphysema is sporadically present in nonsmokers and is associated with a low pack-year history in smokers. The confounding effect of CPFE on measures of gas exchange has major implications for the construction of screening algorithms for PH in patients with SSc-related ILD.

Acute Hypoxia and Ryanodine Receptor Activity in Pulmonary Arterial Myocytes of High Altitude Acclimatized Fetal and Adult Sheep

Exposure to high altitude long term hypoxia (LTH) during the gestational period causes reprogramming of the fetal lung, increasing the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension. There is also regional a...