Role of Echocardiography in Assessment of Patients with Suspected Ph: Beyond the Peak Tricuspid Regurgitant Velocity

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) causes great clinical and functional limitations and significantly impacts quality of life and survival.^, Current pharmacological treatment options for PH include phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, and prostanoids. However, an early diagnosis and etiological definition are essential to improve prognosis.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first-line test for suspected PH, as it is widely available, noninvasive, relatively low cost, does not involve radiation exposure, and carries minimal risk to patients. However, TTE can only suggest the diagnosis of PH since the definitive diagnosis requires invasive hemodynamic measurements via right heart catheterization.

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