A37-03 Phinding Hope: The Growth and Analysis of the Novel Pulmonary Hypertension Screening Program (phind Clinic)

Abstract Rationale Precapillary pulmonary hypertension(PH) carries significant morbidity and mortality, yet diagnosis remains delayed due to nonspecific symptoms and limited provider awareness. Prior analysis from our institution demonstrated that elevated right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP) and right ventricular(RV) dysfunction on transthoracic echocardiogram(TTE) often go unaddressed, delaying referral to PH specialists. To address this, the Pulmonary Hypertension Screening Program(PHIND Clinic) was developed to automate the detection of potential PH on routine echocardiograms within several regional hospitals within the Cleveland Clinic Enterprise and prompt specialty referral to a PH provider. This analysis evaluates the continued performance and growth of the PHIND program in 2025. Methods All outpatient TTEs performed across regional hospitals within the Cleveland Clinic Enterprise were automatically screened for the presence of high probability PH defined as either elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) 3.4 m/s, TRV 2.9-3.4 m/s and evidence of right heart failure, or unreported TRV with evidence of right heart failure- all with the exclusion of left sided heart disease. A PH consultation was subsequently recommended for all patients who met high probability criteria. Data was collected from February 2025 to July 2025; of the pre-selected TTEs screened (1,156 TTEs), 48 patients were deemed high probability and referred to a PH provider (Figure 1). Results During the screening period, 48 TTEs met our criteria for high probability PH. 20 patients were seen in PHIND Clinic (35% female, average age 68.3 years) with a 58% consultation rate. Average time from screened echo to initial PHIND appointment was 77.59 days. 55% of patients only had 1 echo suggestive of PH which prompted a referral. The average time from the first echo suggestive of PH to the PHIND appointment was 365.15 days. 55% of patients had NYHA FC I/II symptoms. 40% underwent RHC with 75% of patients having precapillary PH of which 50% were started on therapy. The PHIND patients had additional pulmonary comorbidities including COPD (35%), morbid obesity (35%), OHS (10%), and CPFE (5%). Overall mortality of the PHIND cohort is 10%. Conclusions Compared to traditional referral pathways, PHIND clinic reduces diagnostic delay and increases recognition of previously overlooked echocardiographic abnormalities. Implementation of an automated, TTE-based screening and referral system successfully improved early identification of precapillary PH. Further improvement is needed including establishing a more thorough assessment of RV on echocardiogram, reduction in time to first appointment, and consideration of lowering our threshold for performing RHCs on this selective population. This abstract is funded by: None