Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: 2 cases of late diagnosis (RCD code: II-1A.1)

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare disease of pulmonary circulation with poor prognosis if left untreated or diagnosed with delay. Active screening for the disease is not effective in the general population. However, in populations at increased risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension, all efforts should be taken to establish an early diagnosis. Here, we present 2 cases of late diagnosis. The first patient presented with a clear clinical picture, while the second case describes a patient in the at-risk population who received treatment too late to obtain satisfactory results. We discuss the pitfalls which led to delayed diagnosis that finally resulted in treatment failure. JRCD 2019; 4 (3): 47-50.