Volume 1, Issue 5

PH: Classification and Diagnosis

In this issue:

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease characterized by severe remodeling of the distal pulmonary vasculature; without treatment, the condition leads irremediably to death through right ventricular failure.
 
In this issue of ePulmonology Review, Paul M. Hassoun, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, reviews and analyzes the current literature redefining and reclassifying PH and the most recent evidence (both pharmacological and pharmacoeconomic) supporting the use of up-front combination therapy vs monotherapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Learning objectives:

  • Identify the current classification of pulmonary hypertension (PH) based on groups of diseases sharing similar pathology.  
  • Outline a basic algorithm for diagnostic workup of various etiologies of PH.  
  • Discuss the principles of therapy currently available, and specific indications for the five groups of the PH classification.    

Author:

Paul M. Hassoun, MD
Paul M. Hassoun, MD

Professor of Medicine Director
Pulmonary Hypertension Program
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland

Program Directors:

Gregory B. Diette, MD

Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland

Christine Smith, RN, MSN

Senior Clinic Nurse Coordinator
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland

Length of activity:

1.0 hour Physicians
1.0 contact hour Nurses

Launch date: August 14, 2018
Expiration date: August 13, 2020