REFERRAL
GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

The Scottish Pulmonary Vascular Unit was established in 1999 and is funded by the National Services Division, Scotland. The unit provides diagnosis and management for all patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) in Scotland.

New treatments for PAH approved over the last two decades have led to major improvements in the symptoms and prognosis of this serious condition. These include endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, guanylate cyclase stimulators and prostacyclin agents, both analogues and agonists. Clinical trials of new agents are ongoing.

Specialist supervision of all patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension remains essential. Treatment is increasingly complex and expensive and requires careful ongoing scrutiny.