Who should be referred to a specialist pulmonary hypertension centre – a referrer’s guide
- Jay SuntharalingamA⇑, consultant respiratory physician,
- Rob MacKenzie RossB, consultant respiratory physician,
- Jacob EasawC, consultant cardiologist,
- Graham RobinsonD, consultant radiologist and
- Gerry CoghlanE, consultant cardiologist
- ARespiratory Department, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
- BRespiratory Department, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
- CCardiology Department, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
- DRadiology Department, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
- ECardiology Department, Royal Free, London, UK
- Address for correspondence: Dr J Suntharalingam, Respiratory Department, Royal United Hospitals, Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG, UK. Email: jay.suntharalingam{at}nhs.net
ABSTRACT
The introduction of pulmonary hypertension (PH)-specific drugs has allowed certain forms of PH to become more treatable. However, patients with these diseases can present to a number of medical specialties and can be challenging to identify, particularly in a non-specialist setting. This article provides guidance on who should be investigated and referred on to a specialist centre, highlighting the potential pitfalls during assessment.
- © 2016 Royal College of Physicians
