title: [Experience with imatinib to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension].
abstract: Despite advances in the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), survival has not improved greatly (is still very affected). Imatinib, an antagonist of platelet-derived growth factor with antiproliferative activity, has been effective in experimental models and clinically in several published reports. We report the results of imatinib therapy in 4 patients with PAH (functional class IV) who were refractory to treatment with drug combinations for this condition. The final outcome was favorable in only 1 of the 4 cases. In this case, the patient was in functional class III and his hemodynamic parameters had improved significantly within 5 months after starting therapy. However, the patient died as a result of severe toxic hepatitis in which imatinib may have played a role. The present report adds to the few already in the literature (4 cases) and suggests that care should continue to be shown when using imatinib to treat PAH.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Colagenosis e Hipertensión Pulmonar, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España. fjgarciah@eresmas.com
authors.forename: Francisco José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: García Hernández
authors.forename: María Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Castillo Palma
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González León
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garrido Rasco
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ocaña Medina
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez Román
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001549:Benzamides; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate