ATS Core Curriculum 2026 Adult Pulmonary Medicine: Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis and Management

The American Thoracic Society Core Curriculum provides an update in adult and pediatric pulmonary disease, medical critical care, and sleep medicine at the annual International Conference. The 2026 Adult Pulmonary Core Curriculum focuses on pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a complex and multifactorial condition requiring a systematic and nuanced approach to diagnosis and management. This clinical review provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary practices in adult pulmonary hypertension. Key topics include the role of right heart catheterization in definitive diagnosis, the application of validated risk stratification tools, and evolving treatment paradigms for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The curriculum also highlights the importance of recognizing and managing specific subgroups of patients with pulmonary hypertension, including chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, heritable PAH, and porto-pulmonary hypertension, as well as addressing critical considerations in patients of childbearing potential. In addition, the review underscores the role of supportive therapies and multidisciplinary care in optimizing patient outcomes. Educational Value: This review serves as a practical and evidence-based guide for clinicians managing pulmonary hypertension patients, integrating foundational principles with up-to-date clinical guidelines and emerging evidence in pulmonary hypertension. By addressing both common and specialized aspects of PH care, this resource will support learners across training levels, fostering improved clinical reasoning, decision-making, and evidence-based practice, and enhancing learners' ability to apply knowledge directly to patient care.