The clinical utility of ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy in the classification of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension encompasses a diverse set of conditions characterized by increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. Proper classification is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. Ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy plays a vital role in imaging, especially in differentiating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension from other types of pulmonary hypertension. This article reviews the clinical applications of ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy in the classification of pulmonary hypertension, with particular focus on its relevance to groups 1 (pulmonary arterial hypertension), 3 (pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases or hypoxia), and 4 (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension). In addition, it explores recent technological advances and their impact on clinical practice.