Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension in Children (Clinical Audit)

Abstract
Background: Patients with suspected PH should be eval-uated using a multimodality approach to ensure that they receive a correct diagnosis.
Aim of this study is to measure the appropriateness of the steps of diagnosis pulmonary hypertension in infant and children that has been taken in Cardiology Unit in Assiut University of Children Hospital, against that of international guidelines.
Patients and Methods: The study included 60 patients having pulmonary hypertension, data of the patients was collected and analyzed against standard guidelines. Values were expressed in terms of percentages.
Results: Echocardiography, complete blood count and kidney function test were done in all studied cases. Cardiac catheterization was done in only 3 cases (5%). The following investigations as CT scan, MRI, 6 MWD, pulmonary function test and ventilation/perfusion scan were not done in any case. Coagulation profile was done in 3 cases and other laboratory tests as ANA, thyroid function tests, liver function tests were not done in any case.
Conclusion: Some of investigations took place in PH diagnosis like (ECG, CXR, echocardigraphy, complete blood count and kidney function test) are considered mandatory investigations in diagnosis of PH. Other investigations like (CT, MRI, 6MWD, pulmonary function test, ventilation/ perfusion scan) and other laboratory tests (coagulation profile, thyroid function tests, ANA,...etc) did not take place in spite of their importance in detecting the cause of PH as per international guideline.