Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Apr 2010
ReviewPulmonary vasodilator testing and use of calcium channel blockers in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) encompasses a number of diseases responsible for a specific set of hemodynamic findings during right heart catheterization. During initial workup, pulmonary vasodilator testing is performed. A positive acute pulmonary vasodilator test predicts better survival and response to calcium channel blocker (CCB) therapy. ⋯ A positive test may select patients with an earlier or less aggressive form of disease, which may carry a better prognosis. A positive vasodilator test is observed very infrequently in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension other than idiopathic PAH or anorexigen associated PAH. This article reviews the literature regarding pulmonary vasodilator testing and use of CCB therapy in patients with PAH, while identifying the gaps in knowledge concerning this diagnostic procedure.