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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Anatomic-pathophysiologic approach to hemodynamics: complementary roles of noninvasive and invasive diagnostic
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA. jgoldstein@beaumont.edu
Insights
This study outlines a practical approach to evaluating cardiovascular symptoms like right heart failure, dyspnea, and hypotension. It emphasizes understanding cardiac pathophysiology for accurate hemodynamic assessment using various diagnostic tools.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Physiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular symptoms and signs stem from distinct pathophysiologic derangements.
- Clinical evaluation of the cardiovascular system relies on understanding anatomic and mechanical factors.
- Hemodynamic assessment is crucial for diagnosing cardiac conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a pragmatic, problem-solving approach to evaluating cardinal hemodynamic symptoms.
- To illustrate the application of a cardiac anatomic-physiologic framework for circulatory pathophysiology.
- To highlight the integrated use of noninvasive and invasive diagnostic studies in hemodynamic assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a cardiac anatomic-physiologic approach to understand circulatory pathophysiology.
- Analyzing 3 cardinal hemodynamic symptoms: right heart failure, dyspnea, and low-output hypotension.
- Integrating noninvasive and invasive diagnostic studies for comprehensive hemodynamic evaluation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a structured method for diagnosing common hemodynamic derangements.
- Showcased the utility of combining different diagnostic modalities.
- Provided a framework for linking symptoms to underlying cardiac pathophysiology.
Conclusions:
- A systematic, anatomic-physiologic approach is effective for clinical hemodynamic evaluation.
- Noninvasive and invasive diagnostic studies play complementary roles in assessing hemodynamic status.
- Understanding the pathophysiology of symptoms aids in managing cardiovascular dysfunction.
Abstract:
Symptoms and physical signs reflect distinct pathophysiologic derangements of anatomic components and mechanics, a construct that serves as the foundation for clinical evaluation of the cardiovascular system. Evaluation of hemodynamic derangements should be based on interrogation of a cardiac anatomic-physiologic approach to circulatory pathophysiology. This article illustrates a pragmatic problem-solving approach to 3 cardinal hemodynamic symptoms and clinical syndromes: right heart failure, dyspnea, and low-output hypotension. This treatise focuses primarily on the complementary roles of noninvasive and invasive diagnostic studies in clinical hemodynamic assessment.
