[Diagnosis and classification of pulmonary hypertension]

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been defined as an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) > or = 25 mmHg at rest as assessed by right heart catheterisation (RHC). Precapillary pulmonary hypertension is defined by an increase in mPAP > or =25 mmHg and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP)< or =15 mmHg associated with a normal or reduced cardiac output. No definition for PH on exercise as assessed by RHC can be provided at the present time. In group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the term "familial PAH" has been replaced by "heritable PAH". Heritable forms of PAH include clinically sporadic idiopathic PAH with germline mutations and clinical familial cases with or without identified germline mutations. Schistosomiasis and chronic haemolytic anaemia have been included among the group of associated PAH. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis have been individualized and designated as clinical group 1'.