Abstract 14287: Iron Deficiency is Associated With More Severe Pulmonary Vascular Disease in Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Chronic Lung Disease
Background: Iron deficiency promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling in pre-clinical models, and is associated with worse outcomes in pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, the consequences of iron deficiency in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to chronic lung disease (Group 3 PH) are unexplored. Methods: We studied 122 consecutive Group 3 PH patients from the University of Minnesota Pulmonary Hypertension Repository. Serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTR) levels quantified iron deficiency. We evaluated the relationship between iron deficiency and pulmonary vascular disease, right ventricular (RV) function, exercise capacity, and survival. Results: The iron deficient group (<4.8mg/L sTR) had significantly higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure (40±9 mmHg, n=59 vs. 44±13 mmHg, n=61; p =.02) and lower pulmonary arterial compliance (2.2±1.2 mL/mmHg, n=52 vs. 1.7±0.8 mL/mmHg, n=55; p =.01), but there was no difference in pulmonary vascular resistance. Moreover, there were trends for higher right atrial pressure (7±4 mmHg, n=58 vs. 9±6 mmHg, n=61; p =0.08) in iron deficient patients. However, iron deficiency did not significantly alter RV function by echocardiography, 6-minute walk distance, or survival. Conclusions: Iron deficiency in Group 3 PH is associated with worse pulmonary vascular disease. This suggests iron deficiency could contribute to pulmonary vascular disease in Group 3 PH, and future studies are needed to determine if iron replacement could be a therapy for this deadly type of PH.