[Effects of bosentan in treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: a pilot study of 21 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the preliminary efficacy and safety of bosentan, a dual endothelin-receptor antagonist, in Chinese pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients.


METHODS
21 patients with PAH, idiopathic or associated with congenital heart disease or connective-tissue disease received 62.5 mg of bosentan twice daily for 4 weeks, and then 125 mg twice daily for 8 weeks if without serious side effects. At week 12, the patients underwent 6 min walk test, hemodynamic variables examination, right heart catheterization, ultrasound cardiography, and electrocardiography.


RESULTS
The six-minute walking distance 12 weeks after bosentan treatment was 461 m +/- 84 m, significantly longer than that before the therapy (374 m +/- 113 m, P < 0.001). The pulmonary vascular resistance 12 weeks after the bosentan treatment was (1236 +/- 729) dyn x s(-1) x cm(-5), significantly lower than that before [(1,440 +/- 766) dyn x s(-1) x cm(-5), P = 0.007]. The cardiac index 12 weeks after the bosentan treatment was (3.02 +/- 1.71) L x min(-1)xm(2), significantly higher than that before treatment [(2.35 +/- 1.20) L x min(-1)xm(2), P = 0.002]. No patient was withdrawn from this study for safety reason.


CONCLUSIONS
Improves the exercise capacity and hemodynamic parameters in Chinese PAH patients; bosentan is safe in treating PAH and can be well tolerated.
Jing
Zhi-Cheng
ZC
Department of Internal Medicine, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100037, China. jingzhicheng@medmail.com.cn
Xu
Xi-Qi
XQ
Ma
Chuan-Rong
CR
Wang
Yong
Y
Wu
Yan
Y
Jiang
Xin
X
Pan
Lei
L
Yang
Yue-Jin
YJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077300:Bosentan; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077300:Bosentan