Table 2.
Modalities | Parameter thresholds required for RHC | Signs/symptoms∗ required for RHC |
---|---|---|
Echocardiography | TR velocity | |
2.5–2.8 m/s | Yes | |
>2.8 m/s | No | |
Cavity enlargements irrespective of TR velocity | No | |
Right atrial major dimension > 53 mm or | ||
Right ventricular mid-cavity dimension > 35 mm | ||
| ||
Pulmonary function tests | FVC/DLCO ratio > 1.6 and/or DLCO < 60%∗∗ | Yes |
FVC/DLCO ratio > 1.6 and/or DLCO < 60% and NT-pro BNP > 2 times upper limit of normal∗∗ | No | |
| ||
Composite measures | Meets DETECT algorithm in patients with DLCO < 60% and disease duration of >3 years from 1st non-Raynaud's symptom | No |
∗Symptoms: dyspnea on rest or exercise, fatigue, presyncope/syncope, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Signs: loud pulmonic sound and peripheral edema. ∗∗Without overt systolic dysfunction, greater than grade I diastolic dysfunction or greater than mild mitral or aortic valve disease, or evidence of PAH in echocardiography; DLCO: diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide; FVC: forced vital capacity; NT-proBNP: N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide; PAH: pulmonary arterial hypertension; SSc: systemic sclerosis; TR: tricuspid regurgitation (cited and modified from “Recommendations for Screening and Detection of Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension” by D. Khanna, C. H. Tseng, N. Farmani et al. Arthritis Rheum 2013; 65: 3194-201).