2018 TSOC guideline focused update on diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized as a progressive and sustained increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, which may induce right ventricular failure. In 2014, the Working Group on Pulmonary Hypertension of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) conducted a review of data and developed a guideline for the management of PAH.⁴ In recent years, several advancements in diagnosis and treatment of PAH has occurred. Therefore, the Working Group on Pulmonary Hypertension of TSOC decided to come up with a focused update that addresses clinically important advances in PAH diagnosis and treatment. This 2018 focused update deals with: (1) the role of echocardiography in PAH; (2) new diagnostic algorithm for the evaluation of PAH; (3) comprehensive prognostic evaluation and risk assessment; (4) treatment goals and follow-up strategy; (5) updated PAH targeted therapy; (6) combination therapy and goal-orientated therapy; (7) updated treatment for PAH associated with congenital heart disease; (8) updated treatment for PAH associated with connective tissue disease; and (9) updated treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.