 Diagnosis of PH remains challenging because of the diverse group of diseases that can cause PH as well as its nonspecific symptoms. Signs and symptoms of PH include dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations, angina, peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, ascites, syncope, and, rarely, unilateral vocal cord paralysis [4,10]. A careful history evaluation is critical to evaluate for risk factors for PH, including family history, history of drugs and toxins associated with PH, collagen vascular disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), portal hypertension, congenital or left heart disease, and venous thromboembolic disease. Clinical evaluation includes pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases, routine biochemistry, hematology, thyroid function, and serological testing to evaluate for lung disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders, and HIV, as well as cardiothoracic imaging [10,11]. The American College of Radiology seeks and encourages collaboration with other organizations on the development of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria through representation of such organizations on expert panels. Participation on the expert panel does not necessarily imply endorsement of the final document by individual contributors or their respective organization. Reprint requests to: publications@acr.org Suspected Pulmonary Hypertension All elements are essential: 1) timing, 2) reconstructions/reformats, and 3) 3-D renderings. Standard CTs with contrast also include timing issues and reconstructions/reformats. Only in CTA, however, is 3-D rendering a required element. This corresponds to the definitions that the CMS has applied to the Current Procedural Terminology codes. OR Discussion of Procedures by Variant Variant 1: Suspected pulmonary hypertension. Initial imaging. Radiography Chest PH tends to present with nonspecific symptoms; thus, chest radiography is often the first imaging test performed [11].
Suspected Pulmonary Hypertension.  Diagnosis of PH remains challenging because of the diverse group of diseases that can cause PH as well as its nonspecific symptoms. Signs and symptoms of PH include dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations, angina, peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, ascites, syncope, and, rarely, unilateral vocal cord paralysis [4,10]. A careful history evaluation is critical to evaluate for risk factors for PH, including family history, history of drugs and toxins associated with PH, collagen vascular disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), portal hypertension, congenital or left heart disease, and venous thromboembolic disease. Clinical evaluation includes pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases, routine biochemistry, hematology, thyroid function, and serological testing to evaluate for lung disease, liver disease, connective tissue disorders, and HIV, as well as cardiothoracic imaging [10,11]. The American College of Radiology seeks and encourages collaboration with other organizations on the development of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria through representation of such organizations on expert panels. Participation on the expert panel does not necessarily imply endorsement of the final document by individual contributors or their respective organization. Reprint requests to: publications@acr.org Suspected Pulmonary Hypertension All elements are essential: 1) timing, 2) reconstructions/reformats, and 3) 3-D renderings. Standard CTs with contrast also include timing issues and reconstructions/reformats. Only in CTA, however, is 3-D rendering a required element. This corresponds to the definitions that the CMS has applied to the Current Procedural Terminology codes. OR Discussion of Procedures by Variant Variant 1: Suspected pulmonary hypertension. Initial imaging. Radiography Chest PH tends to present with nonspecific symptoms; thus, chest radiography is often the first imaging test performed [11].