title: The acute effects of prostacyclin on pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to systemic sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether patients with isolated pulmonary hypertension secondary to systemic sclerosis (SSc) have a pulmonary vasculature that is responsive to treatment with vasodilators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven SSc patients with pulmonary hypertension underwent right heart catheterization. Pulmonary pressures and cardiac output were measured before and during a systemic intravenous infusion of prostacyclin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both pulmonary arterial mean pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased significantly with prostacyclin infusion (median decrease 11% and 32%, respectively), with a concomitant increase in cardiac output (median increase 26%). No adverse hemodynamic effects were noted during the infusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vasospasm contributes to the pulmonary hypertension complicating SSc. This feature may be amenable to treatment with vasodilators.
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Royal Infirmary University National Health Service Trust, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McAlpine
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madhok
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D011464:Epoprostenol