Riociguat: Clinical research and evolving role in therapy.

Riociguat is a first-in-class soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, approved for the treatment of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), or persistent or recurrent CTEPH after pulmonary endarterectomy. Approval was based on the results of the phase III PATENT-1 (PAH) and CHEST-1 (CTEPH) studies, with significant improvements in the primary endpoint of 6-minute walk distance vs placebo of +36 m and +46 m, respectively, as well as improvements in secondary endpoints such as pulmonary vascular resistance and World Health Organization functional class. Riociguat acts as a stimulator of cyclic guanosine monophosphate synthesis rather than as an inhibitor of cGMP metabolism. As with other approved therapies for PAH, riociguat has antifibrotic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects, in addition to vasodilatory properties. This has led to further clinical studies in patients who do not achieve a satisfactory clinical response with phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors. Riociguat has also been evaluated in patients with World Health Organization group 2 and 3 pulmonary hypertension, and other conditions including diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, Raynaud's phenomenon and cystic fibrosis. This review evaluates the results of the original clinical trials of riociguat for the treatment of PAH and CTEPH, and summarises the body of work that has examined the safety and efficacy of riociguat for the treatment of other types of pulmonary hypertension.

Vasodilator responsiveness in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: identifying a distinct phenotype with distinct physiology and distinct prognosis.

Within the cohort of patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a group that responds dramatically (VR-PAH) to an acute vasodilator challenge and that has excellent long-term hemodynamic improvement and prognosis on high dose calcium channel blockers compared with vasodilator non-responders (VN-PAH). For the purposes of diagnosing VR-PAH, there is to date no test to replace the acute vasodilator challenge. However, recent studies have identified markers that may aid in the identification of VR-PAH, including peripheral blood lymphocyte RNA expression levels of desmogelin-2 and Ras homolog gene family member Q, and plasma levels of provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus. Genome wide-array studies of peripheral blood DNA have demonstrated differences in disease specific genetic variants between VR-PAH and NR-PAH, with particular convergence on cytoskeletal function pathways and Wnt signaling pathways. These studies offer hope for future non-invasive identification of VR-PAH, and insights into pathogenesis that may lead to novel therapies. Examination of the degree of pulmonary microvascular perfusion in PAH has offered additional insights. During the acute vasodilator challenge, VR-PAH patients demonstrate true vasodilation with recruitment and increased perfusion of the capillary bed, while VN-PAH patients are unable to recruit vasculature. In the very few reports of lung histology, VR-PAH has more medial thickening in the precapillary arterioles, while VN-PAH has the classic histology of PAH, including intimal thickening. VR-PAH is a disorder with a phenotype distinct from VN-PAH and other types of PAH, and should be considered separately in the classification of PAH.

Riociguat: Mode of Action and Clinical Development in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are progressive and debilitating diseases characterized by gradual obstruction of the pulmonary vasculature, leading to elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). If untreated, they can result in death due to right-sided heart failure. Riociguat is a novel soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator that is approved for the treatment of PAH and CTEPH. We describe in detail the role of the nitric oxide-sGC-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of PAH and CTEPH and the mode of action of riociguat. We also review the preclinical data associated with the development of riociguat, along with the efficacy and safety data of riociguat from initial clinical trials and pivotal phase III randomized clinical trials in PAH and CTEPH.

Endothelial NO-Synthase Gene-Enhanced Progenitor Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: The PHACeT Trial.

RATIONALE: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a progressive and eventually lethal disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance because of loss of functional lung microvasculature, primarily at the distal (intracinar) arteriolar level. Cell-based therapies offer the potential to repair and regenerate the lung microcirculation and have shown promise in preclinical evaluation in experimental models of PAH. OBJECTIVE: The Pulmonary Hypertension and Angiogenic Cell Therapy (PHACeT) trial was a phase 1, dose-escalating clinical study of the tolerability of culture-derived endothelial progenitor cells, transiently transfected with endothelial nitric oxide synthase, in patients with PAH refractory to PAH-specific therapies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven to 50 million endothelial nitric oxide synthase-transfected endothelial progenitor cells, divided into 3 doses on consecutive days, were delivered into the right atrium via a multiport pulmonary artery catheter during continuous hemodynamic monitoring in an intensive care unit setting. Seven patients (5 women) received treatment from December 2006 to March 2010. Cell infusion was well tolerated, with no evidence of short-term hemodynamic deterioration; rather, there was a trend toward improvement in total pulmonary resistance during the 3-day delivery period. However, there was 1 serious adverse event (death) which occurred immediately after discharge in a patient with severe, end stage disease. Although there were no sustained hemodynamic improvements at 3 months, 6-minute walk distance was significantly increased at 1, 3, and 6 months. CONCLUSION: Delivery of endothelial progenitor cells overexpressing endothelial nitric oxide synthase was tolerated hemodynamically in patients with PAH. Furthermore, there was evidence of short-term hemodynamic improvement, associated with long-term benefits in functional and quality of life assessments. However, future studies are needed to further establish the efficacy of this therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00469027.

Effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on endothelin-1 production by human lung microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.

AIMS: Increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a hallmark of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and contributes to its pathogenesis. The factors controlling ET-1 in PAH are poorly understood. Combined with other stimuli, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade results in PAH-like lesions in animal models, and has been associated with PAH in humans. The effects of VEGF on ET-1 production by human lung blood microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-LBl) are unknown. MAIN METHODS: We exposed HMVEC-LBl in-vitro to human VEGF-121 (40 ng/mL) in serum-free medium for 7h, in the absence or presence of the VEGF receptor antagonist, SU5416 (3 and 10 µM). ET-1 production was measured in the supernatant. Phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was measured by Western blotting after exposure to VEGF without or with SU5416 for 5 and 10 min. KEY FINDINGS: VEGF effectively caused VEGFR2 phosphorylation, which was blocked by SU5416. VEGF decreased ET-1 production by at least 29%. In the absence of VEGF, SU5416 increased ET-1 production, by 16% at 10 µM, and SU5416 was able to completely abolish the VEGF effect on ET-1 production. SIGNIFICANCE: VEGF may promote vascular health by decreasing ET-1 production in HVMEC-LBl. Blockade of VEGF signaling by SU5416 increases ET-1 levels. The role of VEGF in modulating endothelin production in PAH deserves further study.

Usefulness of right ventricular dysfunction to predict new-onset atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a serious yet common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Risk factors for postoperative AF have been identified, including echocardiographic parameters, and these are relied on to implement preventative strategies that reduce the incidence of AF. There has yet to be a study examining the impact of echocardiographic right-sided cardiac parameters on the prediction of postoperative AF. Thus, a panel of right-sided cardiac parameters was measured in a cohort of patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery, excluding those who did not have echocardiographic assessment within 30 days before surgery and those with any history of AF. The primary outcome was postoperative AF defined as any episode of AF requiring treatment during the index hospitalization. Postoperative AF occurred in 197 of 768 patients (25.6%); these were older and more likely to have hypertension and chronic kidney disease. After adjustment for clinical and echocardiographic variables, left atrial volume index ≥34 ml/m(2) (odds ratio [OR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 2.87), abnormal right ventricular myocardial performance index (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.24), and advancing age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.07) were found to be independent predictors of postoperative AF. In conclusion, right ventricular myocardial performance index is a novel predictor of postoperative AF in patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery and appears to be additive to established risk factors such as age and left atrial volume.

Updated clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension.

The aim of a clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is to group together different manifestations of disease sharing similarities in pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and therapeutic approaches. In 2003, during the 3rd World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension, the clinical classification of PH initially adopted in 1998 during the 2nd World Symposium was slightly modified. During the 4th World Symposium held in 2008, it was decided to maintain the general architecture and philosophy of the previous clinical classifications. The modifications adopted during this meeting principally concern Group 1, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This subgroup includes patients with PAH with a family history or patients with idiopathic PAH with germline mutations (e.g., bone morphogenetic protein receptor-2, activin receptor-like kinase type 1, and endoglin). In the new classification, schistosomiasis and chronic hemolytic anemia appear as separate entities in the subgroup of PAH associated with identified diseases. Finally, it was decided to place pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis in a separate group, distinct from but very close to Group 1 (now called Group 1'). Thus, Group 1 of PAH is now more homogeneous.

Clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension.

In 1998, during the Second World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) held in Evian, France, a clinical classification of PH was proposed. The aim of the Evian classification was to individualize different categories sharing similarities in pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation, and therapeutic options. The Evian classification is now well accepted and widely used in clinical practice, especially in specialized centers. In addition, this classification has been used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Agency for Drug Evaluation for the labeling of newly approved medications in PH. In 2003, during the Third World Symposium on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension held in Venice, Italy, it was decided to maintain the general architecture and philosophy of the Evian classification. However, some modifications have been proposed, mainly to abandon the term "primary pulmonary hypertension" and to replace it with "idiopathic pulmonary hypertension"; to reclassify pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis; to update risk factors and associated conditions for pulmonary arterial hypertension and to propose guidelines in order to improve the classification of congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts.

Altitude-related hypoxia: risk assessment and management for passengers on commerical aircraft.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with pulmonary and cardiac disorders are particularly at risk of developing hypoxemia at altitude. Our objective is to describe the normal and maladaptive physiological responses to altitude-related hypoxia, to review existing methods and guidelines for preflight assessment of air travelers, and to provide recommendations for treatment of hypoxia at altitude. DATA SYNTHESIS: Falling partial pressure of oxygen with altitude results in a number of physiologic adaptations including hyperventilation, pulmonary vasoconstriction, altered ventilation/perfusion matching, and increased sympathetic tone. According to three guideline statements, the arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) should be maintained above 50 to 55 mm Hg at all altitudes. General indicators such as oxygen saturation and sea level blood gases may be useful in predicting altitude hypoxia. More specialized techniques for estimation of altitude PaO2, such as regression equations, hypoxia challenge testing, and hypobaric chamber exposure have also been examined. A regression equation using sea level PaO2 and spirometric parameters can be used to estimate PaO2 at altitude. Hypoxia challenge testing, performed by exposing subjects to lower inspired FIO2 at sea level may be more precise. Hypobaric chamber exposure, the gold standard, mimics lower barometric pressure, but is mainly used in research. CONCLUSION: Oxygen supplementation during air travel is needed for individuals with an estimated PaO2 (8000 ft) below 50 mmHg. There are a number of guidelines for the pre-flight assessment of patients with pulmonary and/or cardiac diseases. However, these data are based on small studies in patients with a limited group of diseases.