ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Suspected Pulmonary Hypertension: 2022 Update.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Cardiology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be idiopathic or secondary to various conditions.
• Accurate diagnosis and etiological determination are crucial for effective PH management.

Framework:

• The American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria provide evidence-based guidelines for clinical conditions.
• These guidelines are developed and updated annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel.
• Methodologies like Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) and the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method are employed.

Implementation:

• This document reviews key imaging examinations for PH diagnosis and etiology.
• Imaging modalities discussed include chest radiography, echocardiography, V/Q scintigraphy, CT, MRI, right heart catheterization, and pulmonary angiography.
• The ACR criteria guide the selection of appropriate imaging procedures for specific clinical scenarios.

Implications:

• Appropriate use of imaging examinations can lead to timely and accurate diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.
• Understanding the etiology of PH through imaging facilitates targeted treatment.
• These evidence-based guidelines support clinicians in optimizing diagnostic pathways for PH.