title: Severe Respiratory Failure Due to Interferon Beta-Related Pulmonary Hypertension.
abstract: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an uncommon but devastating disease. There is increasing evidence of a correlation between interferon (IFN) use and PAH. Very few cases of PAH in patients treated with IFN are reported in literature. We report a case of a 47-year-old woman with previous diagnosis of multiple sclerosis treated with IFN β-1a for 6 years, presenting severe respiratory failure (paO2/FiO2 228) because of pulmonary hypertension. The suspension of the drug along with the treatment of PAH improved the clinical picture allowing cessation of oxygen administration. Pathophysiological effects of IFN on endothelial vascular cells are discussed.
authors.affiliation: 1Respiratory Diseases Unit ASL 4, Hospital of Sestri Levante, Italy; and 2Hygiene and Health Medicine Unit ASL 4, Hospital of Sestri Levante, Italy.
authors.forename: Ines Maria Grazia
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Piroddi
authors.forename: Cornelius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barlascini
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolini
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010100:Oxygen; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a