Roxana Sulica

Sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension: assessment and management.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a recognized complication of sarcoidosis, with increased morbidity and poor prognosis. Sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) is typically seen in advanced cases, with pulmonary fibrosis, destruction and obliteration of the pulmonary vasculature, and chronic hypoxemia. PH can, however, occur in the absence of pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting alternative pathophysiological mechanisms. Diverse processes may coexist in the pathogenesis of SAPH, and there is an overlap with mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This has encouraged the study of PAH-specific therapeutic agents in the treatment of SAPH. In small series, prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors have been shown to improve hemodynamics, functional status, and outcomes. This article reviews the most recent data available in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of SAPH.

A multicenter, retrospective study of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension transitioned from parenteral prostacyclin therapy to inhaled iloprost.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by progressive increases in pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to right heart failure and death. Guidelines recommend customization of treatment, necessitating the development of effective strategies for transitioning patients among treatments. In this study, we characterized our experience with patient transitions from parenteral prostacyclin to inhaled iloprost. We retrospectively assessed records from 11 centers of 37 consecutive patients with PAH aged ≥ 18 years who were treated with intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) prostacyclin analogues and transitioned to inhaled iloprost. The transition period began on the first day of inhaled iloprost with the intent of discontinuing parenteral prostacyclin and ended on the first day on inhaled iloprost free of parenteral prostacyclin. Persistence was defined as the absence of (1) parenteral prostacyclin while remaining on inhaled iloprost during post-transition Days 1–90 and (2) no reinitiation of parenteral prostacyclin during post-transition Days 90–365. All patients were clinically stable before transitioning to inhaled iloprost. The mean age was 46.5 years, 70.3% were female, 51.4% had idiopathic PAH, and 43.0% were in New York Heart Association Functional Class III. Among patients with an overlapping transition, the mean transition period was 10.5 days. A transition dosing algorithm was used in 10 patients (27.0%). At one year, 78.4% of the patients remained persistent on inhaled iloprost and 81.1% were free of clinical worsening. In selected patients on background oral PAH therapy, transitioning from parenteral prostacyclin to inhaled iloprost appears safe and feasible and is associated with long-term success. Further study is needed to define the optimal patient selection criteria and transition algorithm.

Early Observations on the Use of Riociguat in a Large, Metropolitan Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment Center

IntroductionPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are rare, life-threatening diseases in which chronically elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries results in vascular remodeling and right heart failure. Treatment goals are to improve patient functioning, exercise capacity, and symptoms; delay disease progression; normalize the right ventricular function; and, ultimately, improve survival. Therapeutic management centers on the affected physiologic pathways and includes endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and prostacyclins. Recently, riociguat, a novel therapeutic agent that stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase via the nitric oxide pathway, was approved for the treatment of both PAH and CTEPH. Clinical trial data show that riociguat significantly improves exercise capacity as well as hemodynamic parameters in PAH/CTEPH.MethodsWe report on the early use of riociguat at our center—a large, metropolitan pulmonary hypertension treatment facility that cares for >250 patients with PAH/CTEPH. Through our initial clinical experience, we offer evidence on the benefits of riociguat in three patients with PAH associated with different etiologies, symptoms, and treatment goals.ResultsOverall, patients at our center who have received riociguat have experienced clinical benefits, including improvement in symptomatic and hemodynamic parameters, increase in 6-min walk distance, and improvement or stabilization of World Health Organization functional class. In several cases, initial response to riociguat has been encouraging and has helped patients reach their treatment goals. Riociguat appears to be well tolerated, with only one patient experiencing mild, self-limiting side effects.ConclusionNovel agents are continuously being introduced into the PAH/CTEPH armamentarium, and clinicians must decide how best to integrate them into their existing treatment algorithms. This case series offers initial evidence from our practice on the benefits of riociguat in optimizing hemodynamic and functional parameters. These benefits have been observed in PAH associated with different etiologies and functional status, and in both first-line and combination use.FundingBayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension by stress echocardiography: Prevalence and correlation with right heart hemodynamics

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (EIPH) in consecutive subjects referred for stress echocardiography for chest pain or shortness of breath and correlate echocardiographic diagnosis of EIPH with hemodynamics at right heart catheterization (RHC). BACKGROUND Elevated pulmonary pressure can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. EIPH by ehocardiography has been described in patients with connective tissue disease. Its prevalence in the setting of routine clinically indicated stress echocardiography unknown. METHODS In a retrospective analysis of 4068 consecutive stress subjects undergoing stress echocardiography, 479 subjects with EIPH were identified. All 479 subjects with EIPH were compared to 479 age and sex matched subjects with normal pulmonary artery pressures post exercise. EIPH was defined as PASP>50mmHg or peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity>3.2m/s. Of 100 patients with EIPH who underwent RHC we identified variables which predicted abnormal hemodynamic findings on RHC. RESULTS The prevalence of EIPH in subjects referred for stress echocardiography was 11.7%. A greater proportion of subjects with EIPH were obese or had lung disease or connective tissue disease. Of 100 subjects who underwent RHC, 65 had abnormal results. Age>55years (OR 5.1, p<0.01]) or dilated left atrium (OR 4.4, p=0.02]) were independently associated with abnormal right heart hemodynamics. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that 11.7% of patients undergoing clinically indicated stress echocardiography have EIPH. Of those who underwent RHC abnormal hemodynamics were significantly associated with a dilated left atrium or age older than 55years.