scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic challenges: on the way to overcome obstacles in realization of PAH-specific therapy treatment goals

2021 ◽  
pp. 80-86
Author(s):  
E. A. Rezukhina ◽  
I. Z. Korobkova ◽  
N. M. Danilov ◽  
V. V. Gramovich ◽  
T. V. Martynyuk

Our observation demonstrates a case of a 40-year-old female with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension World Health Organization functional class III, who was admitted to NMRC of Cardiology repeatedly due to disease progression including dyspnea worsening and exercise tolerance decrease after previous COVID-19 infection on riociguat (7.5 mg daily), macitentan (10 mg daily) and selexipag (1600 mcg daily) therapy. Clinical examination demonstrated high-risk status according to the expected 1-year mortality. Due to unreleased treatment goals and high-risk status, we performed transition from selexipag to inhale iloprost. After therapy escalation the patient demonstrated a significant improvement in clinical condition, dyspnea reduction and exercise tolerance increase. The current treatment strategy for pulmonary arterial hypertension is based on regular multiparametric risk stratification approach in PAH patients. The impact of COVID-19 may become an important cause of clinical worsening in PAH patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Directed on vasodilatation and antiproliferation mechanisms of action of PAH-specific drugs are supposed to be protective in COVID-19 patients. However, the probability of clinical worsening in PAH patients despite PAH-specific therapy intake needs to be closely monitored to perform timely treatment correction in order to achieve low-risk status and to improve the prognosis of PAH patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (9) ◽  
pp. 653-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Imai ◽  
Shiro Adachi ◽  
Masahiro Yoshida ◽  
Shigetake Shimokata ◽  
Yoshihisa Nakano ◽  
...  

The 2015 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension include a multidimensional risk assessment for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, prognostic validations of this risk assessment are limited, especially outside Europe. Here, we validated the risk assessment strategy in PAH patients in our institution in Japan. Eighty consecutive PAH patients who underwent right heart catheterization between November 2006 and December 2018 were analyzed. Patients were classified as low, intermediate, or high risk by using a simplified version of the risk assessment that included seven variables: World Health Organization functional class, 6-min walking distance, peak oxygen consumption, brain natriuretic peptide, right atrial pressure, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and cardiac index. The high-risk group showed significantly higher mortality than the low- or intermediate-risk group at baseline (P < 0.001 for both comparisons), and the mortalities in the intermediate- and low-risk groups were both low (P = 0.989). At follow-up, patients who improved to or maintained a low-risk status showed better survival than those who did not (P = 0.041). Our data suggest that this risk assessment can predict higher mortality risk and long-term survival in PAH patients in Japan.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 204589402097312
Author(s):  
Gérald Simonneau ◽  
Hossein-Ardeschir Ghofrani ◽  
Paul A. Corris ◽  
Stephan Rosenkranz ◽  
Ekkehard Grünig ◽  
...  

The goal of treatment in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension is to achieve a low risk status, indicating a favorable long-term outcome. The REPLACE study investigated the efficacy of switching to riociguat in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and an insufficient response to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. In this post hoc analysis, we applied the REPLACE composite endpoint of clinical improvement to the placebo-controlled PATENT-1 study of riociguat in pulmonary arterial hypertension and its long-term extension, PATENT-2. Clinical improvement was defined as ≥2 of the following in patients who completed the study without clinical worsening: ≥10% or ≥30 m improvement in 6-minute walking distance; World Health Organization functional class I or II; ≥30% decrease in N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide. At PATENT-1 Week 12, patients treated with riociguat were more likely to achieve the composite endpoint vs. placebo ( P < 0.0001), with similar results in pretreated ( P = 0.0189) and treatment-naïve ( P < 0.0001) patients. Achievement of the composite endpoint at Week 12 was associated with a 45% reduction in relative risk of death and a 19% reduction in relative risk of clinical worsening in PATENT-2. Overall, these data suggest that use of the REPLACE composite endpoint in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension is a valid assessment of response to treatment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1616-1626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark-Jan Ploegstra ◽  
Johannes M. Douwes ◽  
Marcus T.R. Roofthooft ◽  
Willemijn M.H. Zijlstra ◽  
Hans L. Hillege ◽  
...  

To be able to design goal-oriented treatment strategies in paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), we aimed to identify treatment goals by investigating the prognostic value of treatment-induced changes in noninvasive predictors of transplant-free survival.66 consecutive, treatment-naïve paediatric PAH patients in the Dutch National Network for Paediatric Pulmonary Hypertension who started taking PAH-targeted drugs between January 2000 and April 2013 underwent prospective, standardised follow-up. Clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic measures were longitudinally collected at treatment initiation and follow-up, and their respective predictive values for transplant-free survival were assessed. Furthermore, the predictive values of treatment-induced changes were assessed.From the identified set of baseline predictors, the variables World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were identified as follow-up predictors in which treatment-induced changes were associated with survival. Patients in whom these variables improved after treatment showed better survival (p<0.002).Therefore, WHO-FC, NT-proBNP and TAPSE are not only predictors of transplant-free survival in paediatric PAH but can also be used as treatment goals, as treatment-induced improvements in these variables are associated with improved survival. The identification of these variables allows for the introduction of goal-oriented treatment strategies in paediatric PAH.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Serena Rossi ◽  
Carla Pietrangelo ◽  
Sante Donato Pierdomenico ◽  
Livio Giuliani

Abstract Background  Selexipag is an oral selective prostacyclin IP receptor agonist approved in patients with low- and intermediate-risk pulmonary hypertension (PH); evidence in patients at high risk is lacking. Case summary  A 42-year-old woman with worsening dyspnoea (World Health Organization functional class III–IV) and suspected PH at echocardiographic examination was evaluated in our Pulmonary Hypertension Centre. Right heart catheterization showed pre-capillary PH with reduced cardiac index and increased pulmonary vascular resistance. High-resolution computed tomography excluded parenchymal lung disease and ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) lung scan was negative for mismatched perfusion defects so the conclusive diagnosis was high-risk idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The patient refused an initial combination therapy including a parenteral prostacyclin analogue (PCA) in accordance with the ESC/ERS guidelines, so an off-label triple oral combination therapy including a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, an endothelin receptor antagonist, and selexipag was started. At 3- and 6-month follow-up we found a clinical and haemodynamic improvement, so the patient was reclassified as low risk. Her clinical condition is currently stable. Discussion  Despite the benefit of parenteral PCAs in high-risk PAH, low adherence to treatment may be explained by adverse side effects related to the intravenous route of administration. Given the potential effect seen in our patient, upfront triple oral combination therapy in PAH high-risk patients should be further evaluated in a controlled clinical trial.


2021 ◽  
pp. 204589402110456
Author(s):  
Zeenat Safdar ◽  
Eunah Cho

Spironolactone, a common diuretic used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), improves cardiopulmonary hemodynamics by attenuating the adverse effects of hyperaldosteronism on endothelin type-B receptor function within pulmonary endothelial cells. Spironolactone has demonstrated vascular remodeling properties and reduced all-cause mortality in patients with severe heart failure. Despite widespread use, however, its effect on morbidity and mortality in PAH have not been fully explored. A large cohort of PAH patients from a harmonized dataset from four pivotal trials were analyzed to characterize the patient population and outcomes associated with spironolactone treatment. Of 1,229 evaluable patients, 74% female, mean age 47±15yrs, baseline six-minute walk distance (6MWD) 345±74m and 75% World health Organization (WHO) functional class (FC) III/IV. Of the patients receiving spironolactone, 43% were on subcutaneous treprostinil, compared to 29.9% of patients who were not receiving spironolactone. Long-term spironolactone-treated PAH patients were older (P=0.01), had lower baseline 6MWD (P=0.01) and cardiac index (P<0.01), higher baseline Borg dyspnea score (P=0.01), WHO functional class, and right arterial pressure (P<0.01). Spironolactone patients tended to have higher hazard of clinical worsening (P<0.01). However, propensity analysis, when controlled for disease severity, showed that spironolactone treated patients did not demonstrate improved outcomes, in terms of survival and clinical worsening. Across studies, the current analysis has demonstrated that the actions of spironolactone within the context of the PAH disease process may differ from its action in CHF patients. Despite the results reported with spironolactone use in patients with left heart disease, these findings may not translate to right heart failure and pulmonary vascular pathology as similar outcomes have not necessarily been recognized in the PAH patient population. Future studies are needed to explore these findings further.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 3010
Author(s):  
E. A. Rezukhina ◽  
O. V. Rodnenkov ◽  
T. V. Martynyuk

We present a 48-year-old patient with World Health Organization class III idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), taking specific therapy with macitentan 10 mg a day, who was readmitted to the National Medical Research Center of Cardiology due to increase in exercise dyspnea and decrease in effort tolerance. According to a comprehensive examination, single factors of high risk and unfavorable prognosis were identified. Due to systemic hypotension when using inhaled iloprost, selexipag was added to therapy. According to control hospitalization, 8-month selexipag therapy improved the patient's condition, as well as high risk factors were not revealed. Selexipag is a selective oral prostacyclin receptor agonist recommended for longterm IPAH therapy in adult patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204589402198996
Author(s):  
Kothandam Sivakumar ◽  
Gopalavilasam R. Rohitraj ◽  
Monica Rajendran ◽  
Nithya Thivianathan

Optimal sized balloon atrial septostomy improves hemodynamics in advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension. Occlutech Atrial Flow Regulator is designed to provide an atrial septal fenestration diameter titrated according to the age and right atrial pressures. This observational study analyzed symptoms, exercise distance, oxygen saturations, hemodynamics and echocardiographic parameters after Atrial Flow Regulator implantation in patients with syncope or right-heart failure. Patients with high-risk predictors of mortality during septostomy were scrutinized. Thirty-nine patients (9 children) with syncope (34/39) or right-heart failure (27/39) underwent Atrial Flow Regulator implantation without procedural complications. Six-minute walk distance increased from 310 ± 158.2 to 376.4 ± 182.6 m, none developed syncope. Oxygen saturations reduced from 96.4 ± 6.4% to 92 ± 4.9% at rest and further to 80.3 ± 5.9% on exercise. Right atrial pressures reduced from 9.4 ± 5 (2–27) mmHg to 6.9 ± 2.6 (1–12) mmHg, while cardiac index increased from 2.4 ± 0.8 (0.98–4.3) to 3 ± 1 (1.1–5.3) L/min/m2 and systemic oxygen transport increased from 546.1 ± 157.9 (256.2–910.5) to 637.2 ± 191.1 (301.3–1020.2) ml/min. Echocardiographic improvement included significant reduction of pericardial effusion and inferior caval congestion at a median follow-up of 37 months. Overall survival improved except two early and one late deaths in high-risk patients. Five of seven patients with advanced disease and key hemodynamic predictors of mortality survived. Acute hemodynamic benefits in pulmonary arterial hypertension after Atrial Flow Regulator were improved cardiac output, systemic oxygen transport, and reduced right atrial pressures. Improvement of symptoms especially syncope, exercise duration, and right ventricular systolic function as well as device patency were sustained on mid-term follow-up. Implantation was safe in all including young children without procedural complications. Mortality was noted only in patients who had high-risk predictors and patients at advanced stage of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-185
Author(s):  
R. Ishrat ◽  
A. Mujaddadi ◽  
M.S. Ali ◽  
D. Talwar ◽  
M.E. Hussain

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and responsiveness of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) to estimate exercise capacity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This was a cross-sectional longitudinal study performed on stable PAH patients (n=30, mean age ± standard deviation, 60±13.6 years) with World Health Organization functional class II & III. Reliability was assessed by comparing the distance covered between ISWT-1 (initial) and ISWT-2 (retest). Responsiveness was determined by comparing the distance covered in the ISWT-3 post pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to the ISWT-1. The distance covered between ISWT-1 (177±87.85 m) and ISWT-2 (191.67±96.39 m) was not statistically significant. The result of the relative reliability has shown to be excellent with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1 = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.95-0.99). Absolute reliability was evaluated through the standard error of the measurement and minimal detectable change at a 95% confidence interval (MDC95) were 12.29 and 33.9 m, respectively. Bland Altman plot showed good agreement between the two ISWTs. Following PR, the effect size (ES=0.78) and standardised response mean (SRM=1.50) were moderate and large respectively. ISWT is considered to be a reliable and responsive measure to estimate exercise capacity in patients with PAH. The ISWT may be considered a suitable alternative tool over a 6-min walk test and in the absence of equipment availability or expertise for conducting cardiopulmonary exercise test for the assessment of exercise capacity in these patients.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document