Abstract
Background
There is an increasing number of elderly patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and their characteristics differ from those of young or middle-aged patients with this condition.
Case Summary
A 73-year-old woman with a history of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular risk factors was admitted to the hospital with 2-week exertional dyspnoea. Her initial diagnosis was heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, but the symptoms persisted despite receiving treatment with diuretics. Additional tests showed a significant decrease in diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide and findings suggestive of severe pulmonary hypertension. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest, and pulmonary angiography, showed no narrowing or obstruction of the pulmonary arteries. Right heart catheterization revealed hemodynamic data implying pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. Her condition gradually deteriorated to World Health Organization functional class IV, and sequential combination therapy with tadalafil, macitentan, and selexipag was initiated with a pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosis; however, she died 1 month later. Pathological findings in autopsy were consistent with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and some parts of the lungs revealed the presence of obstructive and interstitial lung disease.
Discussion
The majority of elderly patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension might have multimorbidity. However, there is no specific treatment strategy. It is associated with diagnostic delay and worse prognosis; therefore, early suspicion and comprehensive tests, including right heart catheterization, are essential for better management.
Comorbidities and Hospital Re-admission Rates for Elderly Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension—A Single Centre Experience