Guidance on Pulmonary Hypertension in Congenital Heart Disease

A new scientific statement helps to clarify management considerations in these patients.

Sponsoring Organization: American Heart Association (AHA)

Background and Objective

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of congenital heart disease (CHD) and makes management more challenging, particularly for clinicians without a strong background in congenital cardiac abnormalities. This AHA scientific statement, which acknowledges the relative paucity of data to drive decision making, aims to categorize the causes of PH in congenital heart disease, review available imaging modalities used in this population, and provide recommendations for diagnosis and therapy.

Key Points

PH in congenital heart disease can be categorized in four groups:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO group 1), which is seen with Eisenmenger syndrome, u…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, MACC, FAHA

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)