Jérôme Le Pavec

Immunosuppressive therapy in lupus- and mixed connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: a retrospective analysis of twenty-three cases.

OBJECTIVE To describe the response to first-line immunosuppressive therapy with or without pulmonary vasodilators in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). METHODS Twenty-three consecutive patients with SLE- or MCTD-associated PAH treated with first-line immunosuppressive therapy either alone (n = 16) or in combination with pulmonary vasodilators (n = 7) were evaluated according to clinical and hemodynamic criteria before and after immunosuppressive therapy. Responders were defined as patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I or II with hemodynamic improvement after the last pulse of cyclophosphamide. RESULTS Among the 16 patients treated with first-line immunosuppressive therapy alone, 8 (50%) were responders. These patients had a significantly improved NYHA functional class, 6-minute walking distance, and mean pulmonary artery pressure. Patients in NYHA functional class I or II and/or a cardiac index >3.1 liters/minute/m(2) at baseline were more likely to benefit from immunosuppressive therapy. Six of the 8 nonresponders subsequently improved with pulmonary vasodilators. Among the 7 patients who were initially treated with immunosuppressive therapy and pulmonary vasodilators, 4 (57.1%) were responders. CONCLUSION PAH associated with SLE or MCTD may respond to a treatment combining cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids. Patients who could benefit from this immunosuppressive therapy could be those who have less severe disease at baseline. For patients with more severe disease, pulmonary vasodilators should be started, possibly in combination with immunosuppressants. In any case, clinical and hemodynamic evaluations are mandatory to monitor the response and adapt the treatment. These retrospective and uncontrolled data need to be confirmed by randomized controlled trials.

Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease Clinical, Functional, Radiologic, and Hemodynamic Characteristics and Outcome of 24 Cases Confirmed by Histology

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is defined by specific pathologic changes of the pulmonary veins. A definite diagnosis of PVOD thus requires a lung biopsy or pathologic examination of pulmonary explants or postmortem lung samples. However, lung biopsy is hazardous in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, and there is a need for noninvasive diagnostic tools in this patient population. Patients with PVOD may be refractory to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-specific therapy and may even deteriorate with it. It is important to identify such patients as soon as possible, because they should be treated cautiously and considered for lung transplantation if eligible. High-resolution computed tomography of the chest can suggest PVOD in the setting of pulmonary hypertension when it shows nodular ground-glass opacities, septal lines, lymph node enlargement, and pleural effusion. Similarly, occult alveolar hemorrhage found on bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with pulmonary hypertension is associated with PVOD. We conducted the current study to identify additional clinical, functional, and hemodynamic characteristics of PVOD. We retrospectively reviewed 48 cases of severe pulmonary hypertension: 24 patients with histologic evidence of PVOD and 24 randomly selected patients with idiopathic, familial, or anorexigen-associated PAH and no evidence of PVOD after meticulous lung pathologic evaluation. We compared clinical and radiologic findings, pulmonary function, and hemodynamics at presentation, as well as outcomes after the initiation of PAH therapy in both groups. Compared to PAH, PVOD was characterized by a higher male:female ratio and higher tobacco exposure (p < 0.01). Clinical presentation was similar except for a lower body mass index (p < 0.02) in patients with PVOD. At baseline, PVOD patients had significantly lower partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), diffusing lung capacity of carbon monoxide/alveolar volume (DLCO/VA), and oxygen saturation nadir during the 6-minute walk test (all p < 0.01). Hemodynamic parameters showed a lower mean systemic arterial pressure (p < 0.01) and right atrial pressure (p < 0.05), but no difference in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Four bone morphogenetic protein receptor II (BMPR2) mutations have been previously described in PVOD patients; in the current study we describe 2 additional cases of BMPR2 mutation in PVOD. Computed tomography of the chest revealed nodular and ground-glass opacities, septal lines, and lymph node enlargement more frequently in patients with PVOD compared with patients with PAH (all p < 0.05). Among the 16 PVOD patients who received PAH-specific therapy, 7 (43.8%) developed pulmonary edema (mostly with continuous intravenous epoprostenol, but also with oral bosentan and oral calcium channel blockers) at a median of 9 days after treatment initiation. Acute vasodilator testing with nitric oxide and clinical, functional, or hemodynamic characteristics were not predictive of the subsequent occurrence of pulmonary edema on treatment. Clinical outcomes of PVOD patients were worse than those of PAH patients. Abbreviations: BMPR2 = bone morphogenetic protein receptor II, CI = cardiac index, CT = computed tomography, DLCO = diffusing lung capacity of carbon monoxide, DLCO/VA = diffusing lung capacity of carbon monoxide/alveolar volume, FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in 1 second, HIV = human immunodeficiency virus, mPAP = mean pulmonary arterial pressure, mSAP = mean systolic arterial pressure, NO = nitric oxide, NYHA = New York Heart Association, PaCO2 = partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide, PAH = pulmonary arterial hypertension, PaO2 = partial pressure of arterial oxygen, PCWP = pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, PVOD = pulmonary venoocclusive disease, PVRi = indexed pulmonary vascular resistance, SpO2 = pulse arterial oxygen saturation, TLC = total lung capacity, TPRi = indexed total pulmonary resistance, VC = vital capacity.

Portopulmonary Hypertension : Survival and Prognostic Factors

RATIONALE Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) can be defined as elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance in the setting of portal hypertension. Survival results in PoPH are contrasting, and prognostic factors need to be identified. OBJECTIVES To analyze long-term survival in a large cohort of patients with PoPH with the aim of determining the independent variables affecting survival. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed charts of all patients referred to the French Referral Center for pulmonary arterial hypertension with the diagnosis of PoPH between 1984 and 2004. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The study population comprised 154 patients; 57% male. Mean age at diagnosis was 49 +/- 11 years, 60% of patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III-IV, and mean 6-minute walk distance was 326 +/- 116 m. Hemodynamic measurements showed a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 53 +/- 13 mm Hg, cardiac index of 2.9 +/- 0.9 L/min/m(2), and pulmonary vascular resistance of 752 +/- 377 dyn/s/cm(5). Portal hypertension was related to cirrhosis in 136 patients, with a severity assessed as follows: Child-Pugh class A 51%, Child-Pugh class B 38%, Child-Pugh class C 11%. Overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 yr were 88, 75, and 68%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis individualized the presence and severity of cirrhosis and cardiac index as major independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS Prognosis in PoPH is mainly related to the presence and severity of cirrhosis and to cardiac function. The place of pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapies remains to be determined in the setting of PoPH.

HIV-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: survival and prognostic factors in the modern therapeutic era.

Objectives:To examine baseline characteristics and outcome, and to determine variables affecting survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with HIV infection (PAH-HIV) in the modern era of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and specific PAH therapy. Design:Retrospective review of data from PAH-HIV patients without other associated risk factors for PAH, and comparison with previous series. Methods:Data were reviewed for 77 consecutive patients treated at the French Reference Centre for Pulmonary Hypertension between October 2000 and January 2008. Results were expressed as median [1st–3rd quartile] values. Results:At diagnosis of PAH, 81% patients were on HAART, 79% had a CD4+ count more than 200 cells/μl and 49% had undetectable HIV load. New York Heart Association functional class assessment was II (22%), III (69%), and IV (9%). Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) was 375 [288–421] m, and pulmonary vascular resistance was 689 [524–852] dyn s/cm5. All patients received HAART irrespective of HIV disease stage. Specific PAH therapy was started in 50 patients and led to improvements in 6MWD and haemodynamic parameters. In patients who did not receive specific PAH therapy, 6MWD improved but haemodynamics did not change. Overall survival rate was 88% at 1 year and 72% at 3 years. On multivariate analysis, cardiac index more than 2.8 l/min per m2 and CD4+ lymphocyte count more than 200 cells/μl were independent predictors of survival. Conclusion:In patients with PAH-HIV, HAART seems unable to improve haemodynamic parameters. Prognosis in PAH-HIV is mainly related to CD4+ lymphocyte count and cardiac function.

Systemic Sclerosis-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating vascular complication of a number of connective tissue diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc), where it has a dramatic impact on the clinical course and overall survival and is the single most common cause of death in patients afflicted with this syndrome. Although remarkable advances have been achieved in elucidating the pathogenesis of PAH over the past 2 decades, leading to the development of disease-targeted therapies for the idiopathic form of this condition (IPAH), the response to therapy is suboptimal in SSc-related PAH (SSc-PAH), and survival remains very poor. Factors accounting for striking clinical and prognostic differences between these two syndromes are unclear but may include a more pronounced autoimmune, cellular, and inflammatory response, and a higher prevalence of comorbidities in SSc-PAH, including cardiac and pulmonary venous and parenchymal involvement. Furthermore, currently available markers of disease severity and clinical tools to assess response to therapy, which may be reliable in IPAH, are either limited or lacking in SSc-PAH. Thus, a more focused approach, including a better understanding of the pathogenesis and genetic factors underlying the development of SSc-PAH, a search for more specific and reliable tools to adequately assess functional impairment and monitor therapy, as well as the design of novel targeted therapies, are all urgently required to alter the dismal course of this syndrome.

Long-term outcome of systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension treated with bosentan as first-line monotherapy followed or not by the addition of prostanoids or sildenafil

OBJECTIVE Data on long-term efficacy of bosentan, an oral dual ET receptor antagonist, in SSc-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) are lacking. We aimed to describe the long-term outcome of SSc-PAH treated with first-line monotherapy bosentan followed or not by the addition of prostanoids or sildenafil. METHODS A prospective analysis of 49 consecutive SSc-PAH patients treated with first-line bosentan was performed. New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and haemodynamics were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 12 months. RESULTS At 4 months, significant improvements in NYHA functional class and haemodynamics were observed with stabilization at 1 year. There was no significant improvement in 6MWD. Overall survival estimates were 80, 56 and 51% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively, and were significantly worse than those in a cohort of patients with idiopathic PAH (92, 89 and 79% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively; P < 0.0001). Twenty-three patients (47%) died after a mean follow-up of 23 (18) months. In multivariate analysis, baseline and 4-month NYHA functional class and 4-month cardiac index were independent factors associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS In our cohort of consecutive SSc-PAH patients treated with first-line bosentan, improvement in NYHA functional class and haemodynamics was significant after 4 months of treatment and stabilized afterwards. One-year overall survival rate was higher than previously reported in historical series. However, long-term prognosis remains poor. Our study underlines the importance of haemodynamic evaluation 4 months after the start of treatment to provide strong parameters associated with survival-like cardiac index.

Systemic sclerosis–related pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease: Impact of pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies

OBJECTIVE Precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an important cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). It can occur in isolation (pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH]) or in association with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Importantly, the outcomes and efficacy of PAH therapies in patients with SSc-related PH complicating ILD (PH-ILD) remain unknown. This study was undertaken to evaluate our experience with PH-ILD with regard to the efficacy and safety of PAH therapies in this patient cohort. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive SSc patients from 2 large referral centers who had PH-ILD confirmed by right-sided heart catheterization and who received targeted PAH therapies. World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, 6-minute walk distance, and hemodynamic parameters were assessed at baseline and after a mean ± SD of 7.7 ± 6.2 months of treatment for PAH. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze survival and to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS Seventy patients were included in the study. No significant changes were observed in WHO functional class, 6-minute walk distance, or hemodynamic parameters after therapy. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival estimates were 71%, 39%, and 21%, respectively. In the multivariate model, worsening oxygenation during followup and reduced renal function were the only significant risk factors for death. CONCLUSION This study represents the largest series to date in which the impact of PAH therapies in SSc-related PH-ILD was examined. In this cohort, PAH therapies were associated with no clear benefits. Deterioration in oxygenation was an important determinant of long-term survival. Prospective clinical trials focusing on this group of patients are warranted.

Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Characteristics and Impact of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Therapies

BACKGROUND Precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complication of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) associated with increased mortality. However, outcomes and efficacy of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapies in patients with PH complicating PLCH(PLCH-PH) remain unknown. METHODS Consecutive patients with PLCH with PH confirmed by right-sided heart catheterization were included in the study. Characteristics at baseline and during follow-up as well as survival were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients were studied. Baseline characteristics of patients with PLCH-PH wereas follows: 83% of patients in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class III to IV, mean 6-min walk distance of 355 ±95 m, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) of 45 ±14 mm Hg,cardiac index of 3.2± 0.9 L/min/m 2 , and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of 555 ±253 dyne/s/cm 5. Use of PAH therapy in 12 patients was followed by an improvement in mPAP (56±14 mm Hg and 45±12 mm Hg, P 5 .03) and PVR (701±239 dyne/s/cm 5 and 469±210 dyne/s/cm 5 , P = .01) between baseline and follow-up evaluations. No significant oxygen worsening was observed in the treated group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival estimates of the 29 patients were 96%, 92%, and 73%,respectively. Except a trend toward a better survival rate associated with the use of PAH therapy,WHO functional class was the only variable significantly associated with death. CONCLUSIONS In this group of patients, PAH therapies improved hemodynamics without oxygen worsening or pulmonary edema. WHO functional class was the only prognostic factor identified.Prospective clinical trials focusing on this population of patients are warranted

Clinical characteristics and survival in systemic sclerosis-related pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicating systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) is usually associated with a poor prognosis. However, data are either lacking or scarce on prognostic factors in this condition. The objectives of this study were to compare the survival of patients with ILD-associated PH (PH-ILD) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to determine whether the severity of PH has prognostic value in SSc-associated PH-ILD. METHODS Consecutive patients with SSc and PH-ILD (n = 47) or PAH (n = 50) confirmed by right-sided heart catheterization were included in a cross-sectional analysis. PH was classified as mild (mean pulmonary arterial pressure [mPAP] ≤ 35 mm Hg) or moderate to severe (mPAP > 35 mm Hg). RESULTS As compared with patients with PAH, subjects with PH-ILD were younger, were more frequently men with a history of smoking, had more frequently diffuse SSc, less frequently anticentromere antibodies, and a lower FVC/diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) ratio. They had a worse prognosis than patients with PAH (3-year survival of 47% vs 71%, respectively; P = .07). Patients with mild PH-ILD had similar poor outcomes when compared with those with moderate to severe PH-ILD. Pericardial effusion (hazard ratio [HR], 2.44; P = .04) and lower DLCO (HR, 0.96; P = .01) were the only independent factors predictive of a poor survival in the PH-ILD group. CONCLUSIONS Patients with SSc with PH-ILD had a different phenotype and a worse prognosis than those with SSc and PAH. Lower DLCO and presence of pericardial effusion were predictive of a poor outcome in PH-ILD, whereas mPAP seemed to have no prognostic significance.

Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of bosentan in portopulmonary hypertension

Data on treatment of patients with portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) are limited, as they are usually excluded from randomised controlled trials with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-specific therapies. This study investigated the short- and long-term efficacy/safety of bosentan in these patients, as well as its pharmacokinetics. All 34 consecutive patients with PoPH treated with first-line bosentan (December 2002 to July 2009) were retrospectively evaluated. Assessments included the New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA FC), blood tests, haemodynamics, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and event-free status. The pharmacokinetics of bosentan in five patients with Child–Pugh (C-P) class B cirrhosis were compared with idiopathic PAH patients. Significant improvements from baseline were observed in NYHA FC, 6MWD and haemodynamics, and were largely maintained during follow-up. Patients with C-P class B cirrhosis (n=9) had significantly larger haemodynamic improvement after mean±sd 5±2 months. Mean follow-up time was 43±19 months; four patients died and seven patients had significant elevation of liver enzymes (annual rate 5.5%). Plasma concentrations of bosentan were higher in patients with C-P class B cirrhosis than those observed in idiopathic PAH. These data confirm the benefit of bosentan treatment for patients with PoPH. Haemodynamic improvements were particularly pronounced in patients with more severe cirrhosis. The safety profile of bosentan was consistent with previous studies.