Prognostic Significance of Pulmonary Artery to Aorta Ratio and Other CT Markers in Pulmonary Fibrosis With and Without Emphysema

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with decreased survival in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Main pulmonary artery (PA) diameter and PA diameter/ascending aortic diameter (PA/AA) ratio, as measured on CT, have recently emerged as specific markers for PH. Our single-center retrospective study found that PA/AA ratio > 1 is associated with decreased survival in individuals with pulmonary fibrosis, with or without emphysema. Our study also describes markers of cardiac remodeling, and the echocardiographic diagnosis of PH in this patient population.

Keywords: Computed tomography (CT); Emphysema; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Pulmonary fibrosis; Pulmonary hypertension.