Clinical significance of assessing right ventricular metabolism and perfusion using positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a literature review

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a hemodynamic and pathophysiological condition associated with high mortality due to right ventricular (RV) heart failure. Modern diagnostic methods confirm the already existing RV remodeling and dysfunction. The search for non-invasive diagnostic methods that can detect early signs of RV myocardial dysadaptation is critical for adequate mortality risk stratification and assessing the effect of therapy to select the optimal management stra­tegy and improve prognosis in patients with PAH. This review focuses on positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with PAH. PET/CT makes it possible to analyze disease mechanisms at the level of tissue metabolism and perfusion, which is not possible with traditional diagnostic methods. PET/CT may eventually become an important tool in search for new therapeutic targets and a personalized approach to treating patients with PAH.