A biomarker that can be used to screen sclerosis patients for pulmonary hypertension has shown promise in a proof of concept study.

Researchers from St Vincent’s in Melbourne found asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels had an acceptable  high specificity and sensitivity for detecting the complication, particularly when used in conjunction with NT-proBNP.

When combined with the biomarker commonly used in heart failure the test had a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 100% for detecting PAH, said author Vivek Thakker (pictured) from St Vincent’ in Melbourne who presented his poster during a tour led by Wendy Stevens from the same hospital.

Testing for ADMA was not widely available but cost $60 a test, significantly cheaper than echocardiography, he said.

But the results needed to be validated in larger cohorts, he added.