Expert provider survey of longitudinal assessment in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-10-2022

Publication Title

Heart & lung : the journal of critical care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) demand frequent assessment to keep pace with a dynamic and sometimes rapidly progressive disease course. To improve our understanding of patient monitoring, we conducted a survey of pulmonary hypertension (PH) providers to establish real-world practice patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the type and frequency of patient assessment methods employed by expert PH providers following PAH diagnosis METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of PH providers across the United States was utilized to assess provider practices. Between September 14, 2017 to October 17, 2017, a survey was distributed electronically to PH experts assessing follow-up frequency and testing evaluation of patients with PAH.

RESULTS: 40 (11.4%) providers completed the survey, representing cardiologists, pulmonologists, and advanced practice providers at centers who cared for an average of 95 patients per year with PAH. Follow-up testing and clinic evaluation was influenced by severity of patient illness. Frequency of re-assessment of clinic follow-up, six-minute walk test, echocardiogram, brain natriuretic peptide, and right heart catheterization in various clinical scenarios all reflected disparate practice.

CONCLUSIONS: Current clinical practice patterns in the monitoring of patients with PAH are variable and do not necessarily reflect guideline-based practices, suggesting the need for further research and improved guidelines on the frequency of follow up and repeat testing.

Volume

58

Issue

Online ahead of print.

First Page

34

Last Page

38

DOI

10.1016/j.hrtlng.2022.10.016

ISSN

1527-3288

PubMed ID

36372061

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