Abstract

DIEZ, Ana Rosa et al. Centros de referencia en hipertensión pulmonar: Documento elaborado por miembros de la sección circulación pulmonar de la AAMR. Rev. amer. med. respiratoria [online]. 2013, vol.13, n.4, pp.207-211. ISSN 1852-236X.

Major advances in diagnosis, clinical management and therapeutic strategies led to a significant survival increase for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Disease complexity, specially pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and that related to chronic thromboembolic disease (CTEPH), requires a multidisciplinary approach. International scientific associations recommend the organization of specifically trained, skilled medical teams, acting as "Referral Centers". These units may combine both the highest qualified human resources and up-dated technical background to provide the best medical assistance for these patients. Main criteria for patients referral should be: an estimated systolic pressure over 50 mmHg, suspicion of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism and treatment failures in known hypertensive patients. In addition to a high qualified personnel, the center should allow accessibility to a hemodynamic laboratory for catheterization procedures, including pulmonary vasoreactive tests. Moreover, in cases that thromboendarterectomy or pulmonary transplantation are not available at site, prompt referral to a more complex should be immediately provided.

Keywords : Referral centers; Pulmonary hypertension.

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