Abnormal pulmonary vascular responses in patients registered with a systemic autoimmunity database: Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment and Screening Evaluation using stress echocardiography (PHASE-I)

Abstract

Stress echocardiography is a useful tool in identifying individuals with autoimmune disease who may have underlying pulmonary arterial disease that may be amenable to therapy. We noted a consistent elevation in sPAP across all autoimmune subtypes, suggesting an abnormal pulmonary vascular response to exercise exists in these patients.