Persistence of complex vascular lesions despite prolonged prostacyclin therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Histopathology
; 61(4): 597-609, 2012 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22748137
ABSTRACT
AIMS:
Continuous infusion of prostacyclin analogues improves survival in advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension. In addition to its vasodilatory effects, prostacyclin has the potential to decrease inflammation, thrombosis, and smooth muscle proliferation. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether pathological data support the ability of prostanoids to prevent progression of vascular disease. METHODS ANDRESULTS:
Twenty-two autopsied patients with World Health Organization category 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (primarily idiopathic and connective tissue disease-associated) were divided into those who received long-term prostacyclin (n = 12, PG-long, mean treatment 3.9 years) and those who received 0-1 month of prostacyclin (n = 10, PG-short). Surprisingly, PG-long patients had larger plexiform lesions (P < 0.05), with no decrease in medial and intimal thicknesses as compared with PG-short patients. Plexiform lesion size and density increased with increasing treatment time. Also, PG-long patients had fewer platelet thrombi and more frequent acute diffuse alveolar haemorrhage. Quantification of macrophages and T cells revealed no differences in inflammatory infiltrates.CONCLUSION:
Although long-term prostacyclin therapy may have an antithrombotic effect in addition to its vasodilatory actions, it was not associated with the prevention of advanced vascular lesions. The mechanism by which prostacyclin analogues improve survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension remains uncertain.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Epoprostenol
/
Hipertensión Pulmonar
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Histopathology
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos