-
American Journal of Respiratory and... Sep 2023Major advances in pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with lung disease, and chronic thromboembolic PH cast new light on the... (Review)
Review
Major advances in pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with lung disease, and chronic thromboembolic PH cast new light on the pathogenetic mechanisms, epidemiology, diagnostic approach, and therapeutic armamentarium for pulmonary vascular disease. Here, we summarize key basic, translational, and clinical PH reports, emphasizing findings that build on current state-of-the-art research. This review includes cutting-edge progress in translational pulmonary vascular biology, with a guide to the diagnosis of patients in clinical practice, incorporating recent PH definition revisions that continue emphasis on early detection of disease. PH management is reviewed including an overview of the evolving considerations for the approach to treatment of PH in patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidities, as well as a discussion of the groundbreaking sotatercept data for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Vascular Diseases; Lung; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Chronic Disease; Pulmonary Embolism
PubMed: 37450768
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202302-0327SO -
The Lancet. Respiratory Medicine Sep 2023Patients with chronic lung diseases, particularly interstitial lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, frequently develop pulmonary hypertension, which... (Review)
Review
Patients with chronic lung diseases, particularly interstitial lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, frequently develop pulmonary hypertension, which results in clinical deterioration, worsening of oxygen uptake, and an increased mortality risk. Pulmonary hypertension can develop and progress independently from the underlying lung disease. The pulmonary vasculopathy is distinct from that of other forms of pulmonary hypertension, with vascular ablation due to loss of small pulmonary vessels being a key feature. Long-term tobacco exposure might contribute to this type of pulmonary vascular remodelling. The distinct pathomechanisms together with the underlying lung disease might explain why treatment options for this condition remain scarce. Most drugs approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension have shown no or sometimes harmful effects in pulmonary hypertension associated with lung disease. An exception is inhaled treprostinil, which improves exercise capacity in patients with interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. There is a pressing need for safe, effective treatment options and for reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tools to detect and characterise pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic lung disease.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Clinical Deterioration
PubMed: 37591300
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00259-X -
Chest Aug 2023Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a treatable form of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. CTEPH (group 4 pulmonary hypertension) is... (Review)
Review
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a treatable form of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. CTEPH (group 4 pulmonary hypertension) is caused by persistent organized thromboembolic obstruction of the pulmonary arteries from incompletely resolved acute pulmonary embolism. CTEPH also may present without prior VTE history, which can contribute to its underrecognition. The true incidence of CTEPH is unclear, but is estimated to be approximately 3% after acute pulmonary embolism. V˙/Q˙ scintigraphy is the best screening test for CTEPH, with CT scan imaging and other advanced imaging methods now playing a larger role in disease detection and confirmation. Perfusion defects on V˙/Q˙ scintigraphy in the setting of pulmonary hypertension are suggestive of CTEPH, but pulmonary angiography and right heart catheterization are required for confirmation and treatment planning. CTEPH potentially is curative with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery, with mortality rates of approximately 2% at expert centers. Advances in operative techniques are allowing more distal endarterectomies to be performed successfully with favorable outcomes. However, more than one-third of patients may be considered inoperable. Although these patients previously had minimal therapeutic options, effective treatments now are available with pharmacotherapy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty. Diagnosis of CTEPH should be considered in all patients with suspicion of pulmonary hypertension. Treatments for CTEPH have advanced with improvements in outcomes for both operable and inoperable patients. Therapy should be tailored based on multidisciplinary team evaluation to ensure optimal treatment response.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Chronic Disease; Pulmonary Embolism; Pulmonary Artery; Lung; Angioplasty, Balloon; Endarterectomy
PubMed: 36990148
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.03.029 -
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers Jan 2024Pulmonary hypertension encompasses a range of conditions directly or indirectly leading to elevated pressures within the pulmonary arteries. Five main groups of... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary hypertension encompasses a range of conditions directly or indirectly leading to elevated pressures within the pulmonary arteries. Five main groups of pulmonary hypertension are recognized, all defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure of >20 mmHg: pulmonary arterial hypertension (rare), pulmonary hypertension associated with left-sided heart disease (very common), pulmonary hypertension associated with lung disease (common), pulmonary hypertension associated with pulmonary artery obstructions, usually related to thromboembolic disease (rare), and pulmonary hypertension with unclear and/or multifactorial mechanisms (rare). At least 1% of the world's population is affected, with a greater burden more likely in low-income and middle-income countries. Across all its forms, pulmonary hypertension is associated with adverse vascular remodelling with obstruction, stiffening and vasoconstriction of the pulmonary vasculature. Without proactive management this leads to hypertrophy and ultimately failure of the right ventricle, the main cause of death. In older individuals, dyspnoea is the most common symptom. Stepwise investigation precedes definitive diagnosis with right heart catheterization. Medical and surgical treatments are approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. There are emerging treatments for other forms of pulmonary hypertension; but current therapy primarily targets the underlying cause. There are still major gaps in basic, clinical and translational knowledge; thus, further research, with a focus on vulnerable populations, is needed to better characterize, detect and effectively treat all forms of pulmonary hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Pulmonary Artery; Lung
PubMed: 38177157
DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00486-7 -
The Lancet. Respiratory Medicine Sep 2023Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe but treatable form of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension caused by pulmonary vascular remodelling. As a result of... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe but treatable form of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension caused by pulmonary vascular remodelling. As a result of basic science discoveries, randomised controlled trials, studies of real-world data, and the development of clinical practice guidelines, considerable progress has been made in the treatment options and outcomes for patients with PAH, underscoring the importance of seamless translation of information from bench to bedside and, ultimately, to patients. However, PAH still carries a high mortality rate, which emphasises the urgent need for transformative innovations in the field. In this Series paper, written by a group of clinicians, researchers, and a patient with PAH, we review therapeutic approaches and treatment options for PAH. We summarise current knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of PAH, with an emphasis on emerging treatable pathways and optimisation of current management strategies. In considering future directions for the field, our ambition is to identify therapies with the potential to stall or reverse pulmonary vascular remodelling. We highlight novel therapeutic approaches, the important role of patients as partners in research, and innovative approaches to PAH clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Vascular Remodeling; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
PubMed: 37591298
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00264-3 -
Clinical Rheumatology Oct 2023Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a clinical condition characterized by increased pulmonary arterial pressure arising from a heterogeneous range of diseases that has a... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a clinical condition characterized by increased pulmonary arterial pressure arising from a heterogeneous range of diseases that has a deteriorating effect on the quality of life and may cause early mortality if left untreated. Connective tissue disorders (CTD)-associated PH is the second most common cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), after the idiopathic form, categorized as group I. Systemic scleroderma (SSc) accounts for 75% of CTD-associated PH cases. Although SSc ranks first place for CTD-associated PH, SSc is followed by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), having a lesser frequency of PH occurrence, while it occurs as a rare complication in cases with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory myositis. PH may also occur during non-SSc CTDs and even other rheumatic diseases, including Behcet's disease and adult-onset Still's disease, albeit to a lesser extent. The prognosis of CTD-associated PH is worse than the other forms of PH. Although, as in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), the mechanism of CTD-related PH is associated with an increase in vasoconstrictors like endothelin-1 and a decrease in vasodilators like prostacyclin and nitric oxide production, inflammation, and autoimmune mechanisms also play a role in the development and progression of PH. This may lead to the involvement of more than one mechanism in CTD-associated PH. Knowing which mechanism is dominant is very important in determining the treatment option. This review will primarily focus on the epidemiology, risk factors, and prognosis of PH that develops during rheumatic diseases; the pathogenesis and treatment will be briefly mentioned in light of the newly published guidelines. Key Points • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD) in Western countries is the second most common type of PAH after idiopathic PAH (IPAH). • CTD-PH can be seen most often in systemic scleroderma (SSc), less in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed CTD (MCTD), and rarely in other CTDs. • While current guidelines recommend annual transthoracic echocardiography as a screening test for asymptomatic SSc patients, screening for PH is not advised in the absence of symptoms suggestive of PH in other CTDs. • CTD-PH treatment can be divided into specific vasodilator PH treatments and immunosuppressive therapy. Current treatment guidelines recommend the same treatment algorithm for patients with CTD-associated PH as for patients with IPAH. Several case series have shown the beneficial effect of immunosuppressive agents in patients with SLE-PH and MCTD-PH.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Mixed Connective Tissue Disease; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Quality of Life; Connective Tissue Diseases; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Vasodilator Agents; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Scleroderma, Systemic
PubMed: 36396789
DOI: 10.1007/s10067-022-06446-y -
Circulation. Heart Failure Jul 2023Patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease make up an increasing proportion of the total pulmonary hypertension population who bring... (Review)
Review
Patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease make up an increasing proportion of the total pulmonary hypertension population who bring with them added complexity because of underlying anatomical and hemodynamic abnormalities. Currently, no consensus recommendations are available on how to best manage this group of patients for either the primary cardiologist or pulmonary hypertension subspecialist, including timing of referral. The purposes of this document are (1) to describe the various pulmonary hypertension groups and subgroups associated with congenital heart disease, (2) to describe imaging modalities used in patient evaluation, (3) to elucidate medical and surgical management considerations, (4) to highlight disparities within this population, and (5) to identify gaps and future research needs of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease.
Topics: United States; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; American Heart Association; Heart Failure; Heart Defects, Congenital; Hemodynamics
PubMed: 37357777
DOI: 10.1161/HHF.0000000000000080 -
Clinical Medicine (London, England) Sep 2023Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 1% that increases with age. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is key to institute timely... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 1% that increases with age. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is key to institute timely and appropriate therapy to improve symptoms and prognosis. The international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of PH have recently been updated, with a lowering of the haemodynamic threshold for diagnosis to a mean pulmonary artery pressure >20 mmHg. New diagnostic algorithms and revised indications for screening in at-risk groups have been developed to facilitate early referral to specialist PH centres. This includes fast-track referral pathways for patients who are either clinically high-risk or are at-risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This review summarises key changes in the PH guidelines for general physicians who are, most often, the first healthcare professionals to encounter these patients and consequently have a key role as referrers into specialist PH services.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Prognosis; Physicians; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 37775164
DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2023-23.5.Cardio4 -
Herz Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypertension; Lung
PubMed: 37525084
DOI: 10.1007/s00059-023-05188-0 -
The Lancet. Respiratory Medicine Sep 2023Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism. Important advances have enabled better understanding,... (Review)
Review
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism. Important advances have enabled better understanding, characterisation, and treatment of this condition. Guidelines recommending systematic follow-up after acute pulmonary embolism, and the insight that CTEPH can mimic acute pulmonary embolism on initial presentation, have led to the definition of CTEPH imaging characteristics, the introduction of artificial intelligence diagnosis pathways, and thus the prospect of easier and earlier CTEPH diagnosis. In this Series paper, we show how the understanding of CTEPH as a sequela of inflammatory thrombosis has driven successful multidisciplinary management that integrates surgical, interventional, and medical treatments. We provide imaging examples of classical major vessel targets, describe microvascular targets, define available tools, and depict an algorithm facilitating the initial treatment strategy in people with newly diagnosed CTEPH based on a multidisciplinary team discussion at a CTEPH centre. Further work is needed to optimise the use and combination of multimodal therapeutic options in CTEPH to improve long-term outcomes for patients.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Algorithms; Disease Progression; Inflammation
PubMed: 37591299
DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00292-8