A European Delphi panel involving 24 healthcare professionals from six countries reached consensus on best practices for managing pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD-PAH), particularly systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Key areas of agreement included the importance of multimodal screening combining echocardiography, biomarkers and symptom evaluation, better access to echocardiography, and a multidisciplinary approach involving rheumatologists, pulmonary hypertension specialists, nurse practitioners and patients working closely together.
No consensus was reached on the DETECT screening algorithm — supported by rheumatologists but not cardiologists and pulmonologists — nor on the implications of the new haemodynamic definition of pulmonary hypertension, where more evidence is still needed.
Read more at this link on Rheumatology Advances in Practice
Citation
Del Galdo F, Coghlan JG, Gaine S, de Miguel IM, Smith V, Giuggioli D, Perry R, Grünig E. Defining quality standards of care in CTD-PAH and management best practices: a Delphi panel consensus. Rheumatol Adv Pract. 2026 Jan 14;10(2):rkag003. doi: 10.1093/rap/rkag003. PMID: 41878556; PMCID: PMC13006206.