#102 Echo in Pulmonary Hypertension: 5 Pearls Segment

The Core IM Thigh Pearls Podcast episode delves into pulmonary hypertension (PH), focusing on interpreting echocardiogram (Echo) results. The hosts, along with cardiologist Dr. Anjali Vaidya, discuss the reliability of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) estimations on Echo, highlighting potential errors and the importance of trending RV size and function instead. They explore clinical scenarios that can confound PASP readings, such as acute respiratory illnesses, anemia, and volume overload. The podcast introduces a three-part physiological framework for understanding pulmonary hypertension: high flow, high left atrial pressure, and high resistance, and provides guidance on identifying signs of high left-sided filling pressures and evaluating causes of increased pulmonary vascular resistance. The episode emphasizes a thorough patient history, rheumatologic considerations, exposure assessments, and the utility of tests like PFTs and VQ scans in diagnosing and managing pulmonary hypertension, advocating for early referrals to specialists.