Effective immunosuppressive therapy in a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension.
The case history is described of a young woman who presented with primary pulmonary hypertension and non-specific inflammatory signs. The patient received prolonged immunosuppressive treatment with low dose methotrexate and prednisone without any vasodilator agent. After one year the pulmonary artery pressure fell from a mean value of 47 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg and there was a corresponding clinical response. This case suggests that, in patients with pulmonary hypertension of unknown origin, immunopathogenetic factors should be sought in order to consider the utility of immunosuppressive therapy.
Bellotto
F
F
Cardiology Division, Padua University School of Medicine, Italy.
Chiavacci
P
P
Laveder
F
F
Angelini
A
A
Thiene
G
G
Marcolongo
R
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D008727:Methotrexate