Resolving Diagnostic Discordance in Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension Through Staged Physiologic Testing: Insights From PVDOMICS
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Background
World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension (WSPH) Group 2 pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a clinically integrated phenotype attributed to left heart disease, whereas pre- versus post-capillary classification is operationalized primarily by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). Although current recommendations emphasize contextual interpretation and provocative testing for intermediate PCWP values, the relationship between PCWP-based classification and underlying phenotype has not been systematically evaluated. We aim to quantify phenotype–hemodynamic discordance across the PCWP spectrum and evaluate a staged physiology-guided framework incorporating inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), ventricular geometry, and provocative testing.
Methods
We studied 1,032 participants from the NHLBI-sponsored PVDOMICS cohort with multidisciplinary adjudicated phenotypes integrating clinical, imaging, physiologic, and hemodynamic data. Stage-specific PCWP thresholds classified pre- versus post-capillary physiology at rest, during iNO, and during provocation (fluid challenge or invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing [iCPET]). Echocardiographic right ventricular-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) ratio was evaluated as a marker of ventricular interdependence. Restricted cubic spline and staged concordance analyses defined certainty-based PCWP ranges and incremental diagnostic yield.
Results
Adjudicated Group 2 PH was present in 37.0% of participants. Resting PCWP demonstrated good discrimination (AUC 0.86), but substantial bidirectional phenotype–hemodynamic discordance persisted across intermediate PCWP ranges. At a resting PCWP of 12 mmHg, 25% of participants classified as pre-capillary had adjudicated Group 2 PH, whereas at 18 mmHg, 35% classified as post-capillary remained discordant non–Group 2. Concordance did not approach 90% until PCWP values were <9 mmHg or >24 mmHg. Dynamic testing incrementally improved concordance within these overlap zones. Nearly half of adjudicated Group 2 PH participants (46.5%) were not identified by resting PCWP alone; incorporation of iNO and provocative testing increased cumulative Group 2 identification by 63.4% and improved sensitivity from 79.9% to 83.7%. Model discrimination improved from an AUC of 0.863 to 0.908 (likelihood-ratio P<0.001). iNO increased PCWP in discordant Pre/G2 participants, unmasking latent left-sided limitation, while lowering PCWP in discordant Post/NonG2 participants, consistent with ventricular interdependence. RV/LV ratio ≥0.94 reduced discordant Post/NonG2 classification by 70.5%, and incorporation of PCWP/cardiac output slope improved physiologic specificity during exercise.
Conclusions
Group 2 PH is a dynamic, load-dependent phenotype inadequately characterized by resting PCWP alone. Intermediate PCWP values represent continuous probabilities of bidirectional discordance rather than discrete diagnostic states. A staged physiology-guided approach integrating iNO, ventricular geometry, and provocative testing improves concordance between hemodynamic classification and clinically integrated phenotype assignment.
Clinical Perspective
What Is New?
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In the deeply phenotyped PVDOMICS cohort, resting pulmonary capillary wedge pressure demonstrated good overall discrimination for adjudicated Group 2 (left heart disease) pulmonary hypertension, yet intermediate values frequently either concealed latent left-heart disease or overclassified patients without intrinsic left-heart disease
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Resting pulmonary capillary wedge pressure should be viewed as a continuous probability signal rather than a binary threshold, allowing additional physiologic testing to be targeted according to the degree of diagnostic uncertainty a clinician is willing to accept.
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A staged physiology-guided approach incorporating inhaled nitric oxide, ventricular geometry, and provocative testing improved concordance with adjudicated PH category and pre or post-capillary classification.
What Are the Clinical Implications?
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Pre- versus post-capillary classification should be interpreted within the broader clinical and physiologic context rather than relying on a single resting pulmonary capillary wedge pressure threshold.
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Intermediate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure values should prompt consideration of additional physiologic evaluation, with inhaled nitric oxide providing a practical intermediate step and provocative testing providing the greatest incremental diagnostic yield.
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Exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure/cardiac output slope and markers of ventricular interdependence may provide complementary information for resolving uncertainty when resting and dynamic hemodynamics are discordant.
