scholarly journals Incidence of pulmonary hypertension and determining factors in patients with systemic sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1701197 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gerry Coghlan ◽  
Matthias Wolf ◽  
Oliver Distler ◽  
Christopher P. Denton ◽  
Martin Doelberg ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and determining factors in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and a diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) <60% predicted.In this bicentric, prospective cohort study, patients with SSc were clinically assessed at baseline and after 3 years, including right heart catheterisation (RHC). Analysis of determining factors for the development of PH was performed using univariate and multivariate analyses.96 patients with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) <25 mmHg at baseline were followed for 2.95±0.7 years (median 3 years). Of these, 71 had a second RHC; 18 of these 71 patients (25.3%) developed PH, and five (7%) developed SSc-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. For patients with an mPAP of 21–24 mmHg at baseline, the likelihood of presenting with PH as opposed to normal pressures on follow-up was significantly higher (p=0.026). Pulmonary vascular resistance, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, diffusion capacity and the size of the inferior vena cava at baseline were independent predictors for the development of PH during follow-up.In a selected cohort of SSc patients with a DLCO <60%, pulmonary pressures appeared to rise progressively during follow-up. In this population, it was possible to identify manifest PH in almost 25% of patients using prospective RHC during follow-up. Therefore, regular clinical assessment including RHC might be useful in patients with SSc.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Xanthouli ◽  
N Milde ◽  
A M Marra ◽  
N Benjamin ◽  
C Nagel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at high risk of developing concomitant pulmonary hypertension (PH) which has a crucial impact on the patients' symptoms, quality of life and prognosis. Purpose The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of the new hemodynamic definition of precapillary PH as proposed at the 2018 World Symposium on PH in Nice in patients with SSc. Although recent data suggest that PVR >2 WU could be considered as abnormal in the new definition a conservative cut-off value of PVR ≥3 WU has been used. Methods SSc-patients were screened for PH using clinical assessments as WHO-functional class, 6 minute walking distance and right heart catheterisation. Patients were divided into hemodynamic subgroups according to their mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) values with mPAP ≤20 mmHg, 21–24 mmHg and ≥25 mmHg. These subgroups were further divided according to their pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) with PVR <3 WU or ≥3 WU. Results One-hundred-twenty-two patients (79% female, age 57.6±12.7 years, 6MWD 439.5±98.1 meters, 70% diffuse cutaneous SSc, 30% limited cutaneous SSc, 53% WHO-FC II, 25% WHO-FC III) who were prospectively screened for PH were included in the analysis (Figure 1). Among them 26 had a symptomatic manifest PH using the cut-off value of mPAP ≥25 mmHg. Only half of this group presented with PVR ≥3 WU, the others had PVR <3 WU. Eight of these 26 PH-patients presented with PH due to left heart disease. Out of 21 patients with mildly elevated mPAP 21–24 mmHg, two (10%) met the new definition criteria of PH (pulmonary arterial wedge pressure <15 mmHg, mPAP 23 and 24 mmHg, PVR 3.0 and 3.2 WU, CI 2.2 L/min/m2 both, WHO-FC II both, respectively). Out of 75 patients with mPAP <21 mmHg, three presented with PVR ≥3 WU. Overview of systemic sclerosis patients Conclusions The new definition of precapillary pulmonary hypertension may on the one hand allow detecting an additional 10% of PH patients with mild elevated mPAP. On the other hand, eight of 13 patients (62%), who met the former definition of pulmonary arterial hypertension, would be classified as “normal” due to a lack of increase in PVR according to the new definition. The data of this study suggest that for SSc-patients the cut-off value of mPAP >20 mmHg is useful, but the criteria of PVR ≥3 WU may be too strict. Further studies with larger sample sizes will be needed to better characterise these hemodynamic subgroups and to define the extent of pulmonary vascular disease and treatability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Verônica Silva Vilela ◽  
Marcio Macri Dias ◽  
Ângelo Antunes Salgado ◽  
Bruno Rangel Antunes da Silva ◽  
Agnaldo José Lopes ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disease, and the presence of pulmonary hypertension can be a determining factor in prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis, profile, and prognosis of systemic sclerosis pulmonary hypertension (SSc-PH) diagnosed by systematic screening in a Brazilian population. Methods A cohort of SSc patients underwent systematic screening for SSc-PH. Patients were referred for right heart catheterization (RHC) according to transthoracic echocardiogram or a combination of diagnostic tools. The clinical, immunological, and hemodynamic features and prognosis after 3 years were evaluated. Results Twenty patients underwent RHC. SSc pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) was the most common group of SSc-PH. These patients had long disease duration, high urate levels and highly elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) on hemodynamics. Patients with mPAP > 20– < 25 mmHg had hemodynamic features of intermediate disease. Patients with SSc-PH associated to interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD-PH) had signs of vasculopathy on hemodynamics. In patients with no-SSc-PH, the survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 96%, 92% and 92%, respectively and in patients with SSc-PH it was 86.7%, 60% and 53.3%, respectively. Conclusions Patients identified with SSc-PAH and SSc-ILD-PH in our screening had severe clinical and hemodynamic features. Mortality remains high in SSc-PH but was more related to Bo-PAH and SSc-ILD-PH, while in SSc-PAH, the prognosis was better. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN 72968188, July 8th, 2021. Retrospectively registered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 1900586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Jaafar ◽  
Scott Visovatti ◽  
Amber Young ◽  
Suiyuan Huang ◽  
Paul Cronin ◽  
...  

IntroductionPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one of the leading causes of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We explored the impact of the updated haemodynamic definition of pulmonary hypertension (PH), as proposed by the 6th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension.MethodsIn this single-centre retrospective analysis, patients with SSc who had right heart catheterisation (RHC) were included. We compared the prior PH definition to the updated PH definition. The prior definition classified PH as mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mmHg and further divided into pre-capillary PH (PAH and PH due to lung disease and/or hypoxia), post-capillary PH, and combined pre- and post-capillary PH groups. For the updated definition, PH was classified as mPAP >20 mmHg and further divided into the different groups. We validated our findings in the DETECT cohort.ResultsBetween 2005 and March 2019, 268 RHCs were performed in this single-centre cohort. Using the prior definition, 137 (51%) were diagnosed with PH, with 89 classified as pre-capillary PH (56 with PAH and 33 with PH due to lung disease and/or hypoxia), 29 as post-capillary PH, and 19 as combined pre- and post-capillary PH. When the updated definition was applied to the cohort, seven out of 131 (5%) with no PH were reclassified to pre-capillary PH (PAH (n=1), PH due to lung disease (n=3) and post-capillary PH (n=3)). In those with mPAP 21–24 mmHg, with no left heart or significant lung disease, one out of 28 (4%) in our cohort and four out of 36 (11%) in the DETECT cohort were reclassified as PAH.ConclusionThe updated PH definition does not appear to have a significant impact on the diagnosis of PH in two different screening cohorts.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (138) ◽  
pp. 665-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harrison W. Farber ◽  
Simon Gibbs

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) is the most common type of PH, but its natural history is not well understood. PH-LHD is diagnosed by right heart catheterisation with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure ≥25 mmHg and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >15 mmHg. The primary causes of PH-LHD are left ventricular dysfunction of systolic and diastolic origin, and valvular disease. Prognosis is poor and survival rates are low. Limited progress has been made towards specific therapies for PH-LHD, and management focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the disease with supportive therapies, surgery and pharmacological treatments. Clinical trials of therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with PH-LHD have thus far been limited and have provided disappointing or conflicting results. Robust, long-term clinical studies in appropriate target populations have the potential to improve the outlook for patients with PH-LHD. Herein, we discuss the knowledge gaps in our understanding of PH-LHD, and describe the current unmet needs and challenges that are faced by clinicians when identifying and managing patients with this disease.


ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 2507-2511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Calderaro ◽  
Luis Felipe Prada ◽  
Rogério Souza

The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) relies on the haemodynamic criterion of mean pulmonary arterial pressure greater than or equal to 25 mmHg, assessed by right heart catheterization. The scope of this chapter is to discuss the key elements of clinical assessment of PH patients and the decision process to indicate right heart catheterization. Investigation must get through all the possible causes of PH according to their probability and frequency in the population. Echocardiography is the most important non-invasive test as an indicator for further diagnostic evaluation. Patients who are eligible for right heart catheterization should always be referred to PH centres, where technical skills and standardized procedures will enable maximal reliability of haemodynamic measurement. In the reference centre, a multidisciplinary team will discuss clinical and haemodynamic data, to propose the best therapeutic and follow-up schedule.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Gargani ◽  
V Codullo ◽  
P Argiento ◽  
A Moreo ◽  
F Pieri ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is often diagnosed late when the benefits of vasoactive therapies are limited. The concept of exercise pulmonary hypertension as a possible transitional phase anticipating resting PAH has been assessed in several pathologies, but has not been endorsed by the latest European Guidelines, because not supported by sufficient data. Purpose To evaluate whether PASP values at rest and at peak exercise, estimated at echocardiography, could be predictors of further development of PAH. Methods Four hundred and twenty-nine SSc patients without a previous diagnosis of PAH, enrolled at 4 referral Centres, underwent standard exercise Doppler echocardiography with PASP estimation at rest and at peak stress. Patients were then followed-up to assess the development of PAH, as diagnosed by a complete diagnostic work-up including right heart catheterization. PAH was defined by pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mmHg with pulmonary arterial wedge pressure ≤15 mmHg), without significant interstitial lung disease and/or left heart disease. Results During the median follow-up of 75 months (IQR 29–114), 16 patients developed PAH. A combined cut-off of ≥24 mmHg as resting PASP and ≥40 as peak PASP was identified as the best predictor of further development of PAH (see Figure). Both resting PASP and peak PASP were predictors of PAH at univariate analysis (resting PASP OR 1.13, 95% C.I. 1.07–1.19, p<0.0001; peak PASP OR 1.13, 95% C.I. 1.07–1.18, p<0.0001). At multivariate analysis, only peak PASP was independently associated to PAH development (OR 1.13, 95% C.I. 1.04–1.18, p<0.001). Only one patient among those with resting PASP <24 mmHg and peak PASP <40 mmHg (34.7% of the total population) developed PAH during the follow-up (after 10 years from normal exercise Doppler echocardiography). Kaplan-Meier curves Conclusions Exercise increase in PASP is an independent predictor of later development of PAH in SSc. An increase in exercise PASP is frequent and is not necessarily associated with a later development of PAH, whereas the very high negative predictive value of a normal PASP both at rest and at peak exercise can be used in the clinical practice to confidently rule out about one third of patients. Acknowledgement/Funding Italian Ministry of Health (Ricerca Finalizzata 2011-2012)


Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Spray ◽  
Josephine Vila ◽  
Bridget Griffiths

Abstract Background Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a subtype of pulmonary hypertension (PH) which is not due to left-heart disease, chronic hypoxia or pulmonary arterial thrombus. The European Society of Cardiology recommends annual screening of patients with SSc due to the insidious presentation of PAH, poor outcomes, and the availability of effective treatments. Transthoracic echocardiography is the standard screening investigation, but NT pro-BNP, a biochemical marker of ventricular stretch, may be a cost-effective initial test with echocardiography reserved for patients with new or worsening symptoms or increasing NT pro-BNP. Our centre introduced NT pro-BNP as an adjunct to echocardiography in 2014. Methods We audited our SSc-PAH screening programme from 2009-2018 against the standard that every SSc patient should be screened annually with echocardiography or NT pro-BNP. Patients seen by the regional PH service prior to the first rheumatology clinic were excluded. We used our centre’s database of SSc patients and electronic patient records to determine if a patient had undergone PH screening. We calculated cost estimates from our hospital’s biochemistry and echocardiography departments. Results From 2009 to 2018, the number of SSc patients requiring annual screening rose from 81 to 215. In 2009, 65% of patients were screened - all with echocardiography. In 2018, 88% of patients were screened - 25% had an echocardiogram and 83% had a NT pro-BNP. 63% of patients were screened only through NT pro-BNP. Across the 1476 patient-years studied, only 6 new cases of PH were identified. PH was secondary to ILD in two cases, and true PAH in three cases (one patient refused diagnostic right-heart catheterisation). All three PAH diagnoses came from echocardiograms requested for worsening dyspnoea, so are not attributable to the screening programme. On 31 December 2018, 55% of these patients were taking phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) for severe Raynaud’s phenomenon (50% on sildenafil and 5% on tadalafil). 4% of patients were prescribed bosentan and 3% of patients were prescribed dual therapy with a PDE5i and bosentan. This may explain our centre’s low incidence of PAH. The annual cost of screening per patient has dropped from £82 in 2014 to £59 in 2018, and the total annual cost has plateaued since 2014, despite rising patient numbers and improved screening rates. Conclusion Since introducing NT pro-BNP alongside echocardiography as a screening tool for PAH in SSc patients, we spend less on our screening programme per patient and achieve higher screening rates. However, in 10 years, our screening programme has not detected any asymptomatic cases of PAH, raising questions about the necessity of screening asymptomatic SSc patients. Widespread PDE-5i use may contribute to the low incidence of PAH in our cohort. Disclosures L. Spray None. J. Vila None. B. Griffiths None.


Author(s):  
K. Durga ◽  
S. Yuvarajan ◽  
R. Praveen ◽  
Antonious Maria Selvam ◽  
Yashoda . ◽  
...  

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mmHg at rest as assessed by right heart catheterisation. Pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy is known to be associated with significantly high morbidity and mortality rate which ranges between 30% and 56%. So during pregnancy, efforts to be made to diagnose common medical ailments that can be complicated by pulmonary hypertension. Bedside 2D Echo and thoracic ultrasound are the strongly recommended in these patients to diagnose early and prevent the devastating complications. Relevant blood investigations need to be sent to diagnose the underlying etiology and to assess the prognosis. Cardiac catheterization is the gold standard investigation of choice for pulmonary hypertension. But it is 1 performed in very few cardiac centres in developing countries. In India diagnosis largely depends on echocardiography. It should be made clear to women at the time of their PAH diagnosis that pregnancy is not recommended due to the high maternal and fetal risks. If a woman with known PHT become pregnant, counselling should be given for therapeutic abortion. If they are willing for therapeutic abortion, it should be done before 22 weeks of gestation. All women with PHT should be initiated on PAH specific therapies (prostanoids, ccbs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors) except endothelin receptor blockers as it is teratogenic. Pregnancy in PAH is difficult to manage and needs mutidisciplanary team. Pregnancy is not recommended in women with PAH and appropriate counselling to be done to the mother and their relatives. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document