Multimodality imaging features of pulmonary hypertension (PH)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Retrospective analysis of multimodality imaging features of pulmonary hypertension (PH)
IRAS ID
280472
Contact name
Deepa Gopalan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial CollegeHealthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive multifaceted disease characterised by abnormal elevation in pulmonary circulation pressures and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It has diverse aetiology with different pathophysiological, prognostic, and therapeutic characteristics. As the clinical manifestations of PH are often non-specific, imaging forms an integral component in the PH diagnosis and management.
Hammersmith Hospital is one of the 8 dedicated UK National Pulmonary Hypertension Centres comprising of a highly specialised multidisciplinary team providing invasive & non-invasive diagnostic investigations for patients with suspected or confirmed PH.
The conceptual framework for PH imaging requires 3 components: diagnosis of the PH itself, identifying the underlying cause and evaluation of the physiologic consequences (e.g., right-heart failure). This is achieved by combination technology (Chest Radiograph, Ultrasound, Ventilation-Perfusion Scintigraphy, Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Pulmonary Angiography) and hence, multimodality imaging is the standard of care for PH patients. Imaging is performed at baseline, following institution of specific therapy such as pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic disease and for surveillance of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients following institution of targeted medical therapy.
While significant progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the imaging of PH, significant gaps in our knowledge remain. We would like to perform a retrospective analysis of these multimodality examinations to identify previously unrecognised features to see if they can help in improving the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy and also address challenges in clinical practice such as differentiation of PAH from thromboembolic disease, the functional importance of bronchial arterial to pulmonary venous shunting and the role of the pulmonary arterial and right ventricular flow dynamics in early disease identification.
REC name
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REC reference
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