Abnormalities in High-Resolution Computed Tomography of the Lungs in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension—Correlation with Haemodynamic Parameters and Prognostic Significance

Introduction: The risk stratification in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) patients is currently based on haemodynamic and functional parameters as well as serum biomarker concentrations. Until now the importance of changes appearing in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs of patients with IPAH has not been investigated. Material and methods: Lung HRCT scans were analysed retrospectively in 48 IPAH patients (patients): 37 women, 11 men, mean age 41 ± 15 years. Results: Focal ground-glass opacifications (FGG) were found in 12 patients (25%), and centrilobular nodules (CN) were found in 8 patients (17%). In the remaining 58% of patients HRCT revealed no changes (N). Significantly lower stroke volume was found in the CN group (41.0 ± 8.5 ml) compared to 60.8 ± 15.1 ml in the FGG group and 58.1 ± 18.0 ml in the N group (p = 0.03). Right atrial pressure was significantly higher in the CN group (12.2 ± 4.86 mm Hg) than in the FGG group (6.9 ± 3.9 mm Hg) and the N group (7.6 ± 5.3 mm Hg), p = 0.047. The presence of nodules was combined with considerably increased risk of death, both in univariate analysis (HR 5.35, 95% CI: 1.16–24.7, p = 0.03) and in multivariate analysis (HR 6.98, 95% CI: 1.41–34.59, p = 0.02). Ground-glass opacifications correlated neither with haemodynamic nor functional indexes, and were of no prognostic significance. Conclusions: The presence of centrilobular nodules in lung HRCT scans of IPAH patients was combined with more severe haemodynamic compromise and was an independent negative prognostic indicator.