How is persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) primarily diagnosed?

The primary method for diagnosing persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is through an echocardiogram. This non-invasive ultrasound technique provides detailed images of the heart and its structures, allowing healthcare providers to assess the heart's function, blood flow, and the pressures within the heart and pulmonary arteries. In cases of PPH, the echocardiogram can reveal signs such as right ventricular hypertrophy, septal flattening, and, importantly, elevated pressures in the right heart chambers, which are indicative of pulmonary hypertension.

While other diagnostic methods like chest X-rays and blood tests can provide supportive information about heart and lung function, they do not offer the same level of detailed assessment of cardiovascular dynamics as an echocardiogram does. CT scans may also be used in some circumstances, but they are not the first-line diagnostic tool for PPH. Therefore, an echocardiogram stands out as the gold standard in diagnosing this condition, confirming its vital role in assessing pulmonary arterial pressures and overall cardiac output.