Sarcoidosis associated pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension is found in at least five percent of all sarcoidosis patients. It is associated with pulmonary fibrosis and is major cause of mortality from advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis. While chest CT scanning and echocardiography are useful screening tools, a right heart catheterization is important to distinguish between pre-and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension and to determine severity of disease. Therapy with pulmonary vasodilators have been shown to improve hemodynamics and in select cases improve clinical function.