Clinical Research Directory

Diagnostic Delay in PHTN

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive cardiopulmonary condition that may remain undiagnosed for a prolonged period because its initial symptoms are often nonspecific. This study aims to assess the relationship between diagnostic delay and disease severity at the time of initial presentation among adult patients with pulmonary hypertension at Assiut University Heart Hospital. The study will use an observational cross-sectional analytical design with retrospective review of available medical records and prospective data collection. Eligible patients will be consecutively recruited. Data will include demographic and clinical characteristics, duration of symptoms before diagnosis, previous medical consultations and diagnoses, WHO functional class, six-minute walk distance, echocardiographic findings, laboratory investigations, and available right heart catheterization data. The primary outcome is advanced disease at presentation, defined as WHO functional class III-IV. The study will also assess clinical, echocardiographic, functional, and hemodynamic markers of disease severity and potential factors associated with diagnostic delay.