Compassionate use of continuous prostacyclin in the management of secondary pulmonary hypertension: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension has been unsatisfactory.


OBJECTIVE
To describe exercise capacity, functional class, and hemodynamic variables after long-term intravenous infusion of prostacyclin in patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Academic referral center.


METHODS
33 patients with secondary, precapillary pulmonary hypertension (New York Heart Association class III or IV).


METHODS
Continuous intravenous prostacyclin administered by portable infusion pump on a compassionate-use basis.


METHODS
Functional class, treadmill time, and hemodynamic variables.


RESULTS
Patients were followed for an average of 12.7 +/- 5.6 months. Exercise tolerance and New York Heart Association class improved in each patient. The duration of treadmill exercise increased from 186 seconds to 491 seconds, an increase of 305 seconds (95% CI, 194 to 417 seconds; P < 0.001). Mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 60 mm Hg to 46 mm Hg, a decrease of 14 mm Hg (CI, 9 to 19 mm Hg; P < 0.001). Cardiac output increased from 3.90 L/min to 6.30 L/min, an increase of 2.40 L/min (CI, 1.56 to 3.25 L/min; P < 0.001). The pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 1143 dynes x s/cm5 to 575 dynes x s/cm5, a decrease of 567 dynes x s/cm5 (CI, 407 to 727 dynes x s/cm5; P < 0.001). Patients with collagen vascular disease, congenital heart disease, and portopulmonary hypertension were analyzed with other patients and separately. All groups had a statistically significant reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure and a statistically significant increase in cardiac output.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous prostacyclin may be effective in the treatment of patients with certain types of secondary pulmonary hypertension.
McLaughlin
V V
VV
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Genthner
D E
DE
Panella
M M
MM
Hess
D M
DM
Rich
S
S
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011464:Epoprostenol