ABSTRACT
Several international studies have described the epidemiology of pulmonary hypertension [PH]. However, information about the incidence and prevalence of PH in Saudi Arabia is unknown. To report cases of PH and compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of PH due to various causes in a Saudi population. Newly diagnosed cases of PH [defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure > 25 mmHg at right heart cauterization [RHC]] were prospectively collected at a single tertiary care hospital from January 2009 and June 2012. Detailed demographic and clinical data were collected at the time of diagnosis, along with hemodynamic parameters. Of the total 264 patients who underwent RHC, 112 were identified as having PH. The mean age at diagnosis was 55.8 +/- 15.8 years, and there was a female preponderance of 72.3%. About 88 [78.6%] of the PH patients were native Saudis and 24 [21.4%] had other origins. Twelve PH patients [10.7%] were classified in group 1 [pulmonary arterial hypertension], 7 [6.2%] in group 2 [PH due to left heart disease], 73 [65.2%] in group 3 [PH due to lung disease], 4 [3.6%] in group 4 [chronic thromboembolic PH], and 16 [14.3%] in group 5 [PH due to multifactorial mechanisms]. PH associated with diastolic dysfunction was noted in 28.6% of group 2 patients, 31.5% of group 3 patients, and 25% of group 5 patients. These results offer the first report of incident cases of PH across five groups in Saudi Arabia