CTA-derived left to right atrial size ratio distinguishes between pulmonary hypertension due to heart failure and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

2016 ◽  
Vol 223 ◽  
pp. 723-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Huis in 't Veld ◽  
Alexander G. Van Vliet ◽  
Onno A. Spruijt ◽  
M. Louis Handoko ◽  
J. Tim Marcus ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Jessie van Wezenbeek ◽  
Azar Kianzad ◽  
Arno van de Bovenkamp ◽  
Jeroen Wessels ◽  
Sophia A. Mouratoglou ◽  
...  

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent disorder for which no effective treatment yet exists. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right atrial (RA) and ventricular (RV) dysfunction are frequently observed. The question remains whether the PH with the associated RV/RA dysfunction in HFpEF are markers of disease severity. Methods: To obtain insight in the relative importance of pressure-overload and left-to-right interaction, we compared RA and RV function in 3 groups: 1. HFpEF (n=13); 2. HFpEF-PH (n=33), and; 3. pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) matched to pulmonary artery pressures of HFpEF-PH (PH limited to mPAP ≥30 and ≤50 mmHg) (n=47). Patients underwent right heart catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The right ventricle in HFpEF-PH was less dilated and hypertrophied than in PAH. In addition, RV ejection fraction was more preserved (HFpEF-PH: 52±11 versus PAH: 36±12%). RV filling patterns differed: vena cava backflow during RA contraction was observed in PAH only. In HFpEF-PH, RA pressure was elevated throughout the cardiac cycle (HFpEF-PH: 10 [8–14] versus PAH: 7 [5–10] mm Hg), while RA volume was smaller, reflecting excessive RA stiffness (HFpEF-PH: 0.14 [0.10–0.17] versus PAH: 0.08 [0.06–0.11] mm Hg/mL). RA stiffness was associated with an increased eccentricity index (HFpEF-PH: 1.3±0.2 versus PAH: 1.2±0.1) and interatrial pressure gradient (9 [5 to 12] versus 2 [−2 to 5] mm Hg). Conclusions: RV/RA function was less compromised in HFpEF-PH than in PAH, despite similar pressure-overload. Increased RA pressure and stiffness in HFpEF-PH were explained by left atrial/RA-interaction. Therefore, our results indicate that increased RA pressure is not a sign of overt RV failure but rather a reflection of HFpEF-severity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Saadoun Bin-Hasan ◽  
Abdullah Khayat ◽  
Tilman Humpl ◽  
Janette T. Reyes ◽  
Suhail Al-Saleh

Central sleep apnea (CSA) and periodic breathing are unusual findings described in pediatric patients with congestive heart failure. However, CSA has not been reported in children with pulmonary hypertension. We hereby report on a 10-year-old girl with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension who had frequent central events in a periodic breathing fashion seen in her polysomnography, which was normalized following medical treatment leading to improvement of the pulmonary pressures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-183
Author(s):  
Ioan Tilea ◽  
Andreea Varga ◽  
Anca-Meda Georgescu ◽  
Bianca-Liana Grigorescu

Abstract Despite substantial advancements in diagnosis and specific medical therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients’ management, this condition continues to represent a major cause of mortality worldwide. In pulmonary arterial hypertension, the continuous increase of pulmonary vascular resistance and rapid development of right heart failure determine a poor prognosis. Against targeted therapy, patients inexorable deteriorate over time. Pulmonary arterial hypertension patients with acute right heart failure who need intensive care unit admission present a complexity of the disease pathophysiology. Intensive care management challenges are multifaceted. Awareness of algorithms of right-sided heart failure monitoring in intensive care units, targeted pulmonary hypertension therapies, and recognition of precipitating factors, hemodynamic instability and progressive multisystem organ failure requires a multidisciplinary pulmonary hypertension team. This paper summarizes the management strategies of acute right-sided heart failure in pulmonary arterial hypertension adult cases based on recently available data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-243
Author(s):  
Adam Maxwell ◽  
◽  
Thomas Holman ◽  
Timea Novak ◽  
◽  
...  

A 31-year old woman presented to the acute medical unit 9 days post-partum with shortness of breath and peripheral oedema. Initially suspected to have either a pulmonary embolism or post-partum cardiomyopathy, she proceeded to have imaging including a CT Pulmonary angiogram and echocardiogram, which were suggestive of pulmonary hypertension and severe right heart failure. Her history and other investigations did not reveal any obvious cause for this. She was transferred to a specialist centre where she was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH), previously known as primary pulmonary hypertension. Shortness of breath during pregnancy and in the postpartum period is a relatively common acute medical presentation. Whilst IPAH is a rare diagnosis, it carries a high mortality rate, particularly in pregnancy, and requires prompt specialist investigation, diagnosis and management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Kae-Woei Liang ◽  
Kuo-Yang Wang

Abstract Background Intravenous (IV) prostacyclin analogues infusion and balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) are two important treatment options for managing advanced right heart failure in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). References and protocols are rare for dose titrations and transitions between subcutaneous and IV prostacyclin in functional Class IV IPAH patients. Balloon atrial septostomy is rarely done in very few expert centres. Case summary A young female with IPAH who had received maximal medication including subcutaneous prostacyclin analogues injection was admitted due to advanced right heart failure. She received ascites drainage twice. Later, we directly switched the administration route of prostacyclin from subcutaneous to IV at a ratio of 1:1 instantly. Such rapid conversion led her into a state of profound hypotension and drowsy consciousness, which was resolved after escalating IV inotropics and reducing prostacyclin dosage. Five days later, she received BAS under the guidance of intracardiac echocardiography. Her urine output increased and dyspnoea improved gradually. Six months later, clinical worsening happened again with increase of ascites and dyspnoea. She underwent 2nd and 3rd session of graded BAS with relief of symptoms again. She received permanent transition to IV prostacyclin analogues infusions via a peripherally inserted central catheter after three sessions of BAS. Discussion Balloon atrial septostomy is effective in stabilizing the critical right heart failure in IPAH patients but should be intended as a bridge to lung transplant procedure. Transition from subcutaneous to IV prostacyclin is helpful but needs to be titrated in proper aliquots and time intervals to avoid abrupt haemodynamic changes.


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