Loss of response to calcium channel blockers after long-term follow-up treatment in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with a positive response to acute vasodilator challenge and a clinical response to calcium channel blockers (CCBs) for at least one year are traditionally designated true responders. Nevertheless, little is known about a sustained response to CCBs over longer periods of time. We evaluated the loss of response to CCBs after long-term treatment in a cohort of idiopathic PAH patients previously classified as being true responders. Our data suggest that idiopathic PAH patients can lose clinical response to CCBs even after one year of clinical stability, reinforcing the need for constant multidimensional reevaluation to assess the need for targeted PAH therapies and to classify these patients correctly.

Loss of response to calcium channel blockers after long-term follow-up treatment in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension / Perda de resposta a bloqueadores dos canais de cálcio após acompanhamento prolongado em pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar idiopática

ABSTRACT Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with a positive response to acute vasodilator challenge and a clinical response to calcium channel blockers (CCBs) for at least one year are traditionally designated true responders. Nevertheless, little is known about a sustained response to CCBs over longer periods of time. We evaluated the loss of response to CCBs after long-term treatment in a cohort of idiopathic PAH patients previously classified as being true responders. Our data suggest that idiopathic PAH patients can lose clinical response to CCBs even after one year of clinical stability, reinforcing the need for constant multidimensional reevaluation to assess the need for targeted PAH therapies and to classify these patients correctly.

RESUMO Pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar (HAP) idiopática com resposta positiva ao teste de vasorreatividade aguda e resposta clínica a bloqueadores dos canais de cálcio (BCC) durante no mínimo um ano são tradicionalmente denominados "respondedores verdadeiros". No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre a manutenção da resposta a BCC durante períodos mais longos. Avaliamos a perda de resposta a BCC após tratamento prolongado em uma coorte de pacientes com HAP idiopática previamente considerados respondedores verdadeiros. Nossos dados sugerem que pacientes com HAP idiopática podem deixar de apresentar resposta clínica a BCC mesmo depois de um ano de estabilidade clínica, reforçando a necessidade de reavaliação multidimensional constante para avaliar a necessidade de terapias específicas para HAP e classificar esses pacientes corretamente.

Brazilian Thoracic Society recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a serious and debilitating disease caused by occlusion of the pulmonary arterial bed by hematic emboli and by the resulting fibrous material. Such occlusion increases vascular resistance and, consequently, the pressure in the region of the pulmonary artery, which is the definition of pulmonary hypertension. The increased load imposed on the right ventricle leads to its progressive dysfunction and, finally, to death. However, CTEPH has a highly significant feature that distinguishes it from other forms of pulmonary hypertension: the fact that it can be cured through treatment with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Therefore, the primary objective of the management of CTEPH should be the assessment of patient fitness for surgery at a referral center, given that not all patients are good candidates. For the patients who are not good candidates for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, the viable therapeutic alternatives include pulmonary artery angioplasty and pharmacological treatment. In these recommendations, the pathophysiological bases for the onset of CTEPH, such as acute pulmonary embolism and the clinical condition of the patient, will be discussed, as will the diagnostic algorithm to be followed and the therapeutic alternatives currently available.

Outcomes and prognostic factors of decompensated pulmonary hypertension in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute decompensation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) have high in-hospital mortality. We hypothesized that pulmonary hypertension (PH) severity, measured by a simplified version of European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) risk assessment, and the severity of organ dysfunction upon ICU admission, measured by sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA) were associated with in-hospital mortality in decompensated patients with PAH and CTEPH. We also described clinical and laboratory variables during ICU stay. METHODS: Observational study including adults with decompensated PAH or CTEPH with unplanned ICU admission between 2014 and 2019. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of ESC/ERS risk assessment and SOFA score with in-hospital mortality. ESC/ERS risk assessment and SOFA score were included in a decision tree to predict in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: 73 patients were included. In-hospital mortality was 41.1%. ESC/ERS high-risk group (adjusted odds ratio = 95.52) and SOFA score (adjusted odds ratio = 1.80) were associated with in-hospital mortality. The decision tree identified four groups with in-hospital mortality between 8.1% and 100%. Nonsurvivors had a lower central venous oxygen saturation, higher arterial lactate and higher brain natriuretic peptide in the end of first week in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk on a simplified version of ERS/ESC risk assessment and SOFA score upon ICU admission are associate with in-hospital mortality. A decision tree based on ESC/ERS risk assessment and SOFA score identifies four groups with in-hospital mortality between 8.1% and 100%.

Association between pulmonary artery to aorta diameter ratio with pulmonary hypertension and outcomes in diffuse cystic lung diseases.

ABSTRACT: To investigate the importance of pulmonary vascular measurements on computed tomography (CT) in predicting pulmonary hypertension (PH) and worse outcomes in diffuse cystic lung diseases (DCLDs).We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with DCLDs. Patients underwent pulmonary function tests, a six-minute walk test (6MWT), chest CT, transthoracic echocardiography, and right heart catheterization. Pulmonary artery (PA) diameter and PA-ascending aorta ratio (PA-Ao ratio) were obtained from CT. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) from right heart catheterization was correlated with tomographic, functional, and echocardiographic variables. The association between the PA-Ao ratio with outcomes was determined by Kaplan-Meier curves.Thirty-four patients were included (18 with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis and 16 with lymphangioleiomyomatosis, mean age 46 ±â€Š9 years). Forced expiratory volume in the first second and lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide were 47 ±â€Š20% and 38 ±â€Š21% predicted, respectively. PA diameter and PA-Ao ratio were 29 ±â€Š6 mm and 0.95 ±â€Š0.24, respectively. PA-Ao ratio > 1 occurred in 38.2% of patients. PA-Ao ratio was a good predictor of PH. mPAP correlated best with PA-Ao ratio, PA diameter, oxygen desaturation during six-minute walk test, and echocardiographic variables. Patients with PA-Ao ratio > 1 had greater mPAP, and a higher risk of death or lung transplantation (log-rank, P < .001) than those with PA-Ao ratio ≤ 1.The PA-Ao ratio measured on CT scan has a potential role as a non-invasive tool to predict the presence of PH and as a prognostic parameter in patients with DCLDs.

Mechanisms of Exercise Limitation and Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) determines reduced exercise capacity. The speculated mechanisms of exercise impairment in PLCH are ventilatory and cardiocirculatory limitations, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the mechanisms of exercise limitation, the exercise capacity, and the prevalence of dynamic hyperinflation (DH) and PH in PLCH? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, patients with PLCH underwent an incremental treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test with an evaluation of DH, pulmonary function tests, and transthoracic echocardiography. Those patients with lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (Dlco) < 40% predicted and/or transthoracic echocardiogram with tricuspid regurgitation velocity > 2.5 m/s and/or with indirect PH signs underwent right heart catheterization. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included (68% women; mean age, 47 ± 11 years). Ventilatory and cardiocirculatory limitations, impairment suggestive of PH, and impaired gas exchange occurred in 88%, 67%, 29%, and 88% of patients, respectively. The limitation was multifactorial in 71%, exercise capacity was reduced in 71%, and DH occurred in 68% of patients. FEV1 and Dlco were 64 ± 22% predicted and 56 ± 21% predicted. Reduction in Dlco, an obstructive pattern, and air trapping occurred in 80%, 77%, and 37% of patients. FEV1 and Dlco were good predictors of exercise capacity. The prevalence of PH was 41%, predominantly with a precapillary pattern, and mean pulmonary artery pressure correlated best with FEV1 and tricuspid regurgitation velocity. INTERPRETATION: PH is frequent and exercise impairment is common and multifactorial in PLCH. The most prevalent mechanisms are ventilatory, cardiocirculatory, and suggestive of PH limitations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT02665546; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Use of medical therapies before pulmonary endarterectomy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients with severe hemodynamic impairment.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism, characterized by non-resolving fibro-thrombotic obstructions of large pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice for the disease, significantly improving survival. Patients with worse hemodynamic profile have worse prognosis after surgery, raising the question of whether the use of medical therapy prior to surgery to optimize hemodynamics could improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of medical therapy pre-PEA, according to the hemodynamic profile at the diagnosis. We retrospectively analyzed all patients submitted to PEA, from January 2013 to December 2017. Functional, clinical and hemodynamic data were collected to evaluate the main prognostic determinants. Patients were stratified according to the hemodynamic severity and use of targeted therapies prior to surgery. A total of 108 patients were included. Thirty-five patients (32,4%) used targeted therapy pre-PEA. The use of medical therapy delayed the surgical procedure by about 7 months. There was no difference in overall survival between patients that received targeted therapy and those treated only with supportive therapy (87.8% vs 80.3%, respectively, p = 0.426). Nevertheless, when analyzing the group of patients with severe hemodynamic impairment, defined by low cardiac output(<3.7L/min) at baseline, patients treated with targeted therapies presented a significantly better one-year survival. In higher-risk CTEPH patients, characterized by the presence of low cardiac output, the use of targeted therapies prior to PEA was associated with better outcome, suggesting a potential role for pre-operative use of medical treatment in this particular subgroup.

Lung Cavities in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a unique form of pulmonary hypertension (PH) that arises from obstruction of the pulmonary vessels by recanalized thromboembolic material. CTEPH has a wide range of radiologic presentations. Commonly, it presents as main pulmonary artery enlargement, peripheral vascular obstructions, bronchial artery dilations, and mosaic attenuation patterns. Nevertheless, other uncommon presentations have been described, such as lung cavities. These lesions may be solely related to chronic lung parenchyma ischemia but may also be a consequence of concomitant chronic infectious conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the different etiologies that cause lung cavities in CTEPH patients. METHODS: A retrospective data analysis of the medical records of CTEPH patients in a single reference PH center that contained or mentioned lung cavities was conducted between 2013 and 2016. RESULTS: Seven CTEPH patients with lung cavities were identified. The cavities had different sizes, locations, and wall thicknesses. In two patients, the cavities were attributed to pulmonary infarction; in 5 patients, an infectious etiology was identified. CONCLUSION: Despite the possibility of being solely associated with chronic lung parenchyma ischemia, most cases of lung cavities in CTEPH patients were associated with chronic granulomatous diseases, reinforcing the need for active investigation of infectious agents in this setting.

Brazilian Thoracic Society recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension / Recomendações para o diagnóstico e tratamento da hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crônica da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia

ABSTRACT Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a serious and debilitating disease caused by occlusion of the pulmonary arterial bed by hematic emboli and by the resulting fibrous material. Such occlusion increases vascular resistance and, consequently, the pressure in the region of the pulmonary artery, which is the definition of pulmonary hypertension. The increased load imposed on the right ventricle leads to its progressive dysfunction and, finally, to death. However, CTEPH has a highly significant feature that distinguishes it from other forms of pulmonary hypertension: the fact that it can be cured through treatment with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Therefore, the primary objective of the management of CTEPH should be the assessment of patient fitness for surgery at a referral center, given that not all patients are good candidates. For the patients who are not good candidates for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, the viable therapeutic alternatives include pulmonary artery angioplasty and pharmacological treatment. In these recommendations, the pathophysiological bases for the onset of CTEPH, such as acute pulmonary embolism and the clinical condition of the patient, will be discussed, as will the diagnostic algorithm to be followed and the therapeutic alternatives currently available.

RESUMO A hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crônica (HPTEC) é uma doença grave e debilitante, causada pela oclusão do leito arterial pulmonar por êmbolos hemáticos e por material fibroso induzido pela presença desses êmbolos. Essa oclusão eleva a resistência vascular e, por consequência, a pressão do território arterial pulmonar, caracterizando a presença de hipertensão pulmonar. Esse aumento da carga imposta ao ventrículo direito leva a progressiva insuficiência do mesmo e, finalmente, ao óbito. No entanto, ao contrário das outras formas de hipertensão pulmonar, a HPTEC possui uma particularidade muito significativa: a existência de tratamento potencialmente curativo através da tromboendarterectomia pulmonar. Dessa forma, o objetivo primordial do manejo deve ser a avaliação do potencial cirúrgico do paciente em um centro de referência em HPTEC. Entretanto, nem todos os pacientes podem ser submetidos à cirurgia. Para esses pacientes outras alternativas terapêuticas viáveis são a angioplastia de artérias pulmonares e o tratamento farmacológico. Nestas recomendações, discutir-se-ão as bases fisiopatológicas para o surgimento de HPTEC, a partir da embolia pulmonar aguda, bem como o quadro clínico apresentado pelo paciente, o algoritmo diagnóstico a ser seguido e as alternativas terapêuticas disponíveis.

Lung cavities in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVES: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a unique form of pulmonary hypertension (PH) that arises from obstruction of the pulmonary vessels by recanalized thromboembolic material. CTEPH has a wide range of radiologic presentations. Commonly, it presents as main pulmonary artery enlargement, peripheral vascular obstructions, bronchial artery dilations, and mosaic attenuation patterns. Nevertheless, other uncommon presentations have been described, such as lung cavities. These lesions may be solely related to chronic lung parenchyma ischemia but may also be a consequence of concomitant chronic infectious conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the different etiologies that cause lung cavities in CTEPH patients. METHODS: A retrospective data analysis of the medical records of CTEPH patients in a single reference PH center that contained or mentioned lung cavities was conducted between 2013 and 2016. RESULTS: Seven CTEPH patients with lung cavities were identified. The cavities had different sizes, locations, and wall thicknesses. In two patients, the cavities were attributed to pulmonary infarction; in 5 patients, an infectious etiology was identified. CONCLUSION: Despite the possibility of being solely associated with chronic lung parenchyma ischemia, most cases of lung cavities in CTEPH patients were associated with chronic granulomatous diseases, reinforcing the need for active investigation of infectious agents in this setting.

Pulmonary Hypertension in General Cardiology Practice.

The finding of pulmonary hypertension (PH) by echocardiography is common and of concern. However, echocardiography is just a suggestive and non-diagnostic assessment of PH. When direct involvement of pulmonary circulation is suspected, invasive hemodynamic monitoring is recommended to establish the diagnosis. This assessent provides, in addition to the diagnostic confirmation, the correct identification of the vascular territory predominantly involved (arterial pulmonary or postcapillary). Treatment with specific medication for PH (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists and prostacyclin analogues) has been proven effective in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but its use in patients with PH due to left heart disease can even be damaging. In this review, we discuss the diagnosis criteria, how etiological investigation should be carried out, the clinical classification and, finally, the therapeutic recommendations for PH.

Pulmonary Hypertension in General Cardiology Practice / Hipertensão Pulmonar na Prática do Cardiologista

Abstract The finding of pulmonary hypertension (PH) by echocardiography is common and of concern. However, echocardiography is just a suggestive and non-diagnostic assessment of PH. When direct involvement of pulmonary circulation is suspected, invasive hemodynamic monitoring is recommended to establish the diagnosis. This assessent provides, in addition to the diagnostic confirmation, the correct identification of the vascular territory predominantly involved (arterial pulmonary or postcapillary). Treatment with specific medication for PH (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists and prostacyclin analogues) has been proven effective in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but its use in patients with PH due to left heart disease can even be damaging. In this review, we discuss the diagnosis criteria, how etiological investigation should be carried out, the clinical classification and, finally, the therapeutic recommendations for PH.

Resumo O achado de hipertensão pulmonar (HP) em avaliação ecocardiográfica é frequente e preocupante. No entanto, o ecocardiograma é apenas um exame sugestivo e não diagnóstico de HP. Quando se suspeita de acometimento direto da circulação pulmonar, está indicada medida hemodinâmica invasiva para estabelecer o diagnóstico. Essa avaliação permite, além da confirmação diagnóstica, a correta identificação do território vascular predominantemente acometido (arterial pulmonar ou pós-capilar). O tratamento com as medicações específicas de HP (inibidores da fosfodiestarese 5, antagonistas do receptor de endotelina, análogos da prostaciclina e estimulador da guanilil ciclase solúvel) é comprovadamente eficaz para pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar, mas seu uso em pacientes com HP decorrente de doença cardíaca de câmaras esquerdas pode até mesmo ser prejudicial. Discutiremos nesta revisão o critério diagnóstico, a maneira de proceder a investigação etiológica, a classificação clínica e, finalmente, as recomendações terapêuticas na HP.

The global view.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To understand the global distribution of different forms of pulmonary hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS: Different registries have explored the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary hypertension. Interestingly, there is a clear difference in the prevalence of different forms of pulmonary hypertension in developed regions in comparison with less developed countries. This finding suggests not only that extrapolation of data should be avoided but also that the known prevalence of pulmonary hypertension might be underestimated. SUMMARY: Pulmonary hypertension might be more prevalent than what is currently believed. Specific forms of pulmonary hypertension distributed worldwide might characterize an unrecognized burden that still have to be properly approached. This highlights the heterogeneity of pulmonary hypertension around the world. It is clear that more epidemiological data are still needed as well as studies addressing management alternatives in these specific regions.

Reperfusion in acute pulmonary thromboembolism.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE) is a highly prevalent condition (104-183 cases per 100,000 person-years) and is potentially fatal. Approximately 20% of patients with APTE are hypotensive, being considered at high risk of death. In such patients, immediate lung reperfusion is necessary in order to reduce right ventricular afterload and to restore hemodynamic stability. To reduce pulmonary vascular resistance in APTE and, consequently, to improve right ventricular function, lung reperfusion strategies have been developed over time and widely studied in recent years. In this review, we focus on advances in the indication and use of systemic thrombolytic agents, as well as lung reperfusion via endovascular and classical surgical approaches, in APTE.

Use of direct oral anticoagulants for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is one of the most prevalent forms of pulmonary hypertension and is a major complication of acute pulmonary embolism. One mainstay of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treatment is lifelong anticoagulation. The recent advent of direct oral anticoagulants for acute pulmonary embolism treatment has provided a viable and effective alternative for treating this condition. However, little is known about the efficacy of this new class of drugs for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: A cohort of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients who initiated treatment with direct oral anticoagulants between June 2015 and November 2016 were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Sixteen patients used rivaroxaban, three used dabigatran and one used apixaban for a mean follow-up of 20.9 months. The mean age was 51 years, and eighteen patients were classified as functional class II/III. Eight patients underwent a pulmonary endarterectomy and exhibited clinical, hemodynamic and functional improvement and currently continue to use direct oral anticoagulants. No episode of venous thromboembolism recurrence was identified during the follow-up period, but there was one episode of major bleeding after a traumatic fall. CONCLUSIONS: Although direct oral anticoagulants appear to be a safe and effective alternative for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, larger studies are needed to support their routine use.