Frequency of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing computed tomography chest in tertiary care hospitals

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a devastating disease with significant disability and mortality, and it has much higher frequency than previously thought. To determine the frequency of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing contrast enhanced computed tomography chest in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore. Descriptive study among 151 patients of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension were selected with age and gender discrimination by convenient sampling, at Combined Military Hospital Lahore. Computed Tomography machine Toshiba Aquiline 64 Slice was used. This study analyzed data from 151 patients who sought medical attention for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) at the radiology department. The patients’ ages ranged from 20 to 80 years, with an average age of 48.41 years. Out of the total patients, 93 were males (61.6%), and 58 were females (38.4%). Further examination revealed that 130 patients (86.1%) had a Dilated Inferior Vena Cava (IVC), while 138 patients(91.4%) had an Enlarged Caliber of the right Pulmonary Artery. Additionally, 95 patients (63%) had an Enlarged Pulmonary Trunk, and 50 patients (33%) were diagnosed with Filling defects. These findings provide valuable insights into the age and gender distribution and the frequency of specific indicators in patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. The study revealed a considerable frequency of pulmonary hypertension (64.2%). Study found a significant number of cases, with indicators like an enlarged pulmonary trunk (62.9%), and filling defects (33.1%). Males had more instances than females. Notably, people aged 50-65 years were most affected. This shows the importance of addressing pulmonary hypertension in CECT patients, considering gender differences, and focusing on the 50-65 age group for better diagnosis and treatment. More research is needed to understand this condition better and improve patient care