Screening for PAH
Pulmonary hypertension should be considered (and estimated by echocardiogram) in the differential diagnosis of breathlessness in patients with:
- Connective tissue disease (especially systemic sclerosis).
- Past history of venous thromboembolism.
- Portal hypertension.
- HIV.
- Hypoxic lung disease (where there is unexplained deterioration or symptoms are excessive).
- Sickle cell disease.
- Family history of PAH.
We recommend active screening by echocardiogram for patients at risk from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and in patients with connective tissue disease.