The 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines cover the full spectrum of pulmonary hypertension (PH), focusing on diagnosing and treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
This clinical practice guideline includes updates and revisions to many recommendations. One of the most significant changes is the hemodynamic redefinition of what constitutes pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Below, we provide a selection of the most relevant updates.
Updated 2022 Definition of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)
The Guidelines update the PH threshold to a resting mPAP (Mean Pulmonary Arterial Pressure) of > 20 mmHg. The definition of PAH implies a Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) of > 2 WU (Wood Units) and a pulmonary wedge pressure (PEP) of ≤15 mmHg.
These values better reflect normal ranges, but they do not yet translate into new therapeutic recommendations, as the efficacy of PAH treatment in patients with Pulmonary Vascular Disease (PVD) and an mPAP of 21-24 mmHg and/or Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) of 2-3 Wood Units (WU) is still unknown.
Simplified Diagnostic Algorithm for Pulmonary Hypertension
The guidelines simplify the main diagnostic algorithm for pulmonary hypertension by following a three-step approach. It is worth noting that it does not address the screening of specific patient groups at risk of PH.
- Starts when the primary care physician suspects this disease.
- Continues with detection through echocardiography.
- Culminates with confirmation through Right Heart Catheterization (RHC) in specialized pulmonary hypertension centers.
The 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for Pulmonary Hypertension mention that warning signs associated with worse outcomes are identified, justifying immediate referral and management in specialized centers.
Key Diagnostic Recommendations in Pulmonary Hypertension
The Guidelines include four new recommendations:
- Assign an echocardiographic probability of pulmonary hypertension, based on an abnormal Tricuspid Regurgitation Velocity (TRV) and the presence of other echocardiographic signs that suggest it.
- Maintain the current threshold of TRV (> 2.8 m/s) to estimate the echocardiographic probability of PH, according to the updated hemodynamic definition (mPAP > 20mmHg at rest).
- According to the probability of PH indicated by echocardiography, it is suggested to consider additional tests depending on the clinical context (symptoms and risk factors or conditions associated with PAH/CTEPH – Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension).
- Consider a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) in symptomatic patients with intermediate echocardiographic probability of PH, to more accurately determine the likelihood of PH
General Management and Special Considerations for PAH
The guidelines recommend considering iron supplementation in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) patients with iron deficiency, when anemia is absent..
Pregnancy Recommendations in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Previous Guidelines recommend that women with PAH avoid pregnancy. And the 2022 edition adds new suggestions for them:
- It is advisable that women of childbearing age with PAH receive counseling on contraception, with a clear understanding that the failure of the chosen method can have significant consequences for their condition.
- Women who consider motherhood or become pregnant should receive timely counseling at an PAH center to help them make shared decisions. It is also advisable that both patients and their family members receive psychological support.
- Patients who choose to terminate their pregnancy should have the procedure performed at an PAH center, where psychological support is provided to both the patients and their families.
- Women with PAH who wish to become mothers should receive counseling on adoption and surrogacy, including genetic counseling before conception.
- The use of endothelin receptor antagonists and riociguat during pregnancy is not recommended, as preclinical models have reported potential teratogenic effects.
Treatment of Non-Vasoreactive IPAH, HPAH, and DPAH without Cardiopulmonary Comorbidity
- For patients with these conditions and a high risk of death, initial combination therapy with a PDE5i, inhibitor (Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors), an ERA (Endothelin Receptor Antagonist), and intravenous/subcutaneous prostacyclin analogs should be considered.
- For patients with IPAH (idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension )/HPAH (hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension )/DPAH (drug-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension) and intermediate-low risk of death despite treatment with ERA/PDE5 inhibitors, it is advisable to consider adding selexipag.
- For patients with IPAH/HPAH/DPAH and intermediate-high risk of death despite treatment with ERA/PDE5 inhibitors, the addition of intravenous/subcutaneous prostacyclin analogs should be considered, along with referral for lung transplantation evaluation.
- For patients with IPAH/HPAH/DPAH and intermediate-low risk of death despite treatment with ERA/PDE5 inhibitors, switching from PDE5 inhibitors to riociguat may be considered.
- Furthermore, macitentan and tadalafil are recommended as initial combination therapy. The use of macitentan, tadalafil, and selexipag together is not recommended in this phase.
Managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with HIV Infection
- For patients with PAH associated with HIV infection, it is recommended to follow antiretroviral treatment according to current Guideline recommendations.
- For these patients, initial monotherapy should be considered, followed by sequential combination therapy if necessary, taking into account comorbidities and drug interactions.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Assessing the risk is advisable for patients with persistent pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) after defect closure and for those with Eisenmenger syndrome. Furthermore, advising patients with this syndrome to avoid pregnancy is suggested.
Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension: Diagnosis and Treatment Updates
- The 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for Pulmonary Hypertension recommend that the diagnosis in children includes right heart catheterization and acute vasoreactivity testing.
- Right heart catheterization should be performed to confirm the diagnosis of PH, preferably before initiating any treatment of PAH.
- For patients with IPAH/HPAH, it is advisable to perform an acute vasoreactivity test to identify those who would benefit from calcium channel blocker therapy.
- A positive acute vasoreactivity response in children should be defined in the same way as in adults: a reduction in mPAP ≥ 10 mmHg to achieve an absolute mPAP value ≤ 40 mmHg with unchanged or increased cardiac output (CO).
- Achieving and maintaining a low-risk profile is considered an appropriate treatment response.
- Screening for pulmonary hypertension in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia is recommended.
We hope that this blog is useful to you in providing an overview of the main changes in this valuable document for clinical practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis and Treatment
What is the new definition of pulmonary hypertension in the 2022 ESC/ERS guidelines?
The 2022 guidelines redefine pulmonary hypertension as a resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) greater than 20 mmHg, with specific criteria for pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary wedge pressure (PEP) of ≤15 mmHg.
How has the diagnostic algorithm for pulmonary hypertension changed?
The updated algorithm simplifies diagnosis into three steps: suspicion by primary care, detection via echocardiography, and confirmation through right heart catheterization at specialized centers.
Are there special considerations for pregnant women with pulmonary arterial hypertension? Yes, pregnancy is generally discouraged due to high risks. The guidelines recommend counseling, contraception, psychological support, and advise against certain medications during pregnancy.