Pulmonary Hypertension - Update in Diagnostic and Screening

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifactorial pulmonary vascular disease. In patients exertional dyspnea, PH should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis. In everyday clinical practice, the most important screening method is echocardiography. Determining the maximum speed of the regurgitation jet over the tricuspid valve is a key element to suspect PH. Additional echocardiographic PH signs such as dilatation of the right atrium or ventricle should also be taken into account. The final diagnosis of PH can only be established by invasive right heart catheter. In the most recent guidelines, the hemodynamic definition of PH has been changed. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure for diagnosing PH has currently been lowered to > 20 mmHg. With regard to the new hemodynamic definition, careful exanimation in an experienced PH center is crucial for final decision making.