Perfusion lung scan in unexplained pulmonary hypertension
Chen, B.P.; Liu, Y.Z.; Cheng, X.S.
Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 31(6): 335-337; 380
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0578-1426 PMID: 1286581 Document Number: 391403
Thirty-two patients were diagnosed as unexplained pulmonary hypertension by clinical history, physical examination, hemodynamics, pulmonary angiography and perfusion lung scanning. The findings of pulmonary scans in twenty patients (62.5%) showed patchy heterogeneous perfusion defects, which suggested chronic silent pulmonary thromboembolism (CSPT) and in twelve cases (37.5%) demonstrated normal or equally diffuse radionuclide scattering due to primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). This result corresponded with the pathological data in some of the relevant references. Pulmonary perfusion scan is a noninvasive, safe and simple procedure for determining whether CSPT or PPH is the causative factor in patients with unexplained pulmonary hypertension.