Riociguat treatment in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Final safety data from the EXPERT registry

Objective: The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat is approved for the treatment of adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and inoperable or persistent/recurrent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) following Phase

Temporal Trends in Diagnostic Hemodynamics and Survival of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: A Single-Center Study

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) have gradually improved the disease course. This retrospective cohort study aims to explore the diagnostic hemodynamic profile and survival of PH patients and their temporal changes, as well as investigate potential prognostic factors. Overall, 257 adult patients were diagnosed with PH following right heart catheterization (RHC) from January 2008 to June 2023 according to the hemodynamic cut-off values proposed by the corresponding ESC/ERS guidelines at the time RHC was performed. Of these patients, 46.3% were Group 1, 17.8% Group 2, 14.0% Group 3, 18.0% Group 4, and 3.0% Group 5 PH. Temporal improvement in both diagnostic hemodynamic profile and survival of patients with PH and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was identified after 2013. Survival analysis demonstrated 5-year survival rates of 65% in Group 1 PH (90.3% in idiopathic PAH) and 77% in Group 4 PH. PAH patients being at low risk at diagnosis presented a similar 1-year all-cause mortality rate (12.4%) with high-risk ones (12.8%), primarily due to non-PH-related causes of death (62%), while high-risk patients died mostly due to PH (67%). The observed improvements in diagnostic hemodynamic profiles and overall survival highlight the importance of timely diagnosis and successful treatment strategies in PH

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension in Greece: Data from the Hellenic Pulmonary Hypertension Registry

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a novel and promising treatment option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who are ineligible for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and for those with persistent or recurrent pulmonary hypertension after PEA. We present the results of BPA procedures in CTEPH patients included in the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Registry, evaluating the real-life efficacy and safety. We analyzed data from 180 BPA procedures (2–17/patient, mean 8 ± 4/patient, 1248 dilated vessels, 0–18/session). Significant improvements were observed in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (a reduction by 44%, p < 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (reduction by 60%, p < 0.001), and NT-proBNP (decrease by >70%, p: 0.003), while cardiac index improved modestly (9% increase, p = 0.143). We had 37 BPA-related non-fatal complications (20.6% in all interventions), predominantly including hemoptysis. Overall survival was 91%, 75% and 62% at 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. Therefore, BPA may be a promising therapeutic option in patients with CTEPH in Greece. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Right atrial function is associated with right venticular diastolic stiffness: RA-RV interaction in pulmonary arterial hypertension

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients have altered right atrial (RA) function and right ventricular (RV) diastolic stiffness. This study assessed the impact of RV diastolic stiffness on RA-RV interaction. METHODS: PAH patients with low or high end-diastolic elastance (Eed) (n=94) were compared with controls (n=31). Treatment response was evaluated in 62 patients. RV and RA longitudinal strain, RA emptying and RV filling were determined and diastole was divided into a passive and active phase. Vena cava backflow was calculated as RA active emptying-RV active filling and RA stroke work as RA active emptying×RV end-diastolic pressure. RESULTS: With increased Eed, RA and RV passive strain were reduced while active strain was preserved. In comparison to controls, patients had lower RV passive filling but higher RA active emptying and RA stroke work. RV active filling was lower in patients with high Eed, resulting in higher vena cava backflow. Upon treatment, Eed was reduced in ~50% of the patients with high Eed, which coincided with larger reductions in afterload, RV mass and vena cava backflow and greater improvements in RV active filling and stroke volume in comparison with patients in whom Eed remained high. CONCLUSIONS: In PAH, RA function is associated with changes in RV function. Despite increased RA stroke work, severe RV diastolic stiffness is associated with reduced RV active filling and increased vena cava backflow. In 50% of patients with high baseline Eed, diastolic stiffness remained high, despite treatment. A reduction in Eed coincided with a large reduction in afterload, increased RV active filling and decreased vena cava backflow

Right Ventricular and Right Atrial Function Are Less Compromised in Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Comparison With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension With Similar Pressure Overload

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent disorder for which no effective treatment yet exists. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right atrial (RA) and ventricular (RV) dysfunction are frequently observed. The question remains whether the PH with the associated RV/RA dysfunction in HFpEF are markers of disease severity. Methods: To obtain insight in the relative importance of pressure-overload and left-to-right interaction, we compared RA and RV function in 3 groups: 1. HFpEF (n=13); 2. HFpEF-PH (n=33), and; 3. pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) matched to pulmonary artery pressures of HFpEF-PH (PH limited to mPAP >= 30 and <= 50 mmHg) (n=47). Patients underwent right heart catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The right ventricle in HFpEF-PH was less dilated and hypertrophied than in PAH. In addition, RV ejection fraction was more preserved (HFpEF-PH: 52 +/- 11 versus PAH: 36 +/- 12%). RV filling patterns differed: vena cava backflow during RA contraction was observed in PAH only. In HFpEF-PH, RA pressure was elevated throughout the cardiac cycle (HFpEF-PH: 10 [8-14] versus PAH: 7 [5-10] mm Hg), while RA volume was smaller, reflecting excessive RA stiffness (HFpEF-PH: 0.14 [0.10-0.17] versus PAH: 0.08 [0.06-0.11] mm Hg/mL). RA stiffness was associated with an increased eccentricity index (HFpEF-PH: 1.3 +/- 0.2 versus PAH: 1.2 +/- 0.1) and interatrial pressure gradient (9 [5 to 12] versus 2 [-2 to 5] mm Hg). Conclusions: RV/RA function was less compromised in HFpEF-PH than in PAH, despite similar pressure-overload. Increased RA pressure and stiffness in HFpEF-PH were explained by left atrial/RA-interaction. Therefore, our results indicate that increased RA pressure is not a sign of overt RV failure but rather a reflection of HFpEF-severity.Therapeutic cell differentiatio

Right Ventricular and Right Atrial Function Are Less Compromised in Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Comparison With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension With Similar Pressure Overload

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent disorder for which no effective treatment yet exists. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right atrial (RA) and ventricular (RV) dysfunction are frequently observed. The question remains whether the PH with the associated RV/RA dysfunction in HFpEF are markers of disease severity. Methods: To obtain insight in the relative importance of pressure-overload and left-to-right interaction, we compared RA and RV function in 3 groups: 1. HFpEF (n=13); 2. HFpEF-PH (n=33), and; 3. pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) matched to pulmonary artery pressures of HFpEF-PH (PH limited to mPAP >= 30 and <= 50 mmHg) (n=47). Patients underwent right heart catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The right ventricle in HFpEF-PH was less dilated and hypertrophied than in PAH. In addition, RV ejection fraction was more preserved (HFpEF-PH: 52 +/- 11 versus PAH: 36 +/- 12%). RV filling patterns differed: vena cava backflow during RA contraction was observed in PAH only. In HFpEF-PH, RA pressure was elevated throughout the cardiac cycle (HFpEF-PH: 10 [8-14] versus PAH: 7 [5-10] mm Hg), while RA volume was smaller, reflecting excessive RA stiffness (HFpEF-PH: 0.14 [0.10-0.17] versus PAH: 0.08 [0.06-0.11] mm Hg/mL). RA stiffness was associated with an increased eccentricity index (HFpEF-PH: 1.3 +/- 0.2 versus PAH: 1.2 +/- 0.1) and interatrial pressure gradient (9 [5 to 12] versus 2 [-2 to 5] mm Hg). Conclusions: RV/RA function was less compromised in HFpEF-PH than in PAH, despite similar pressure-overload. Increased RA pressure and stiffness in HFpEF-PH were explained by left atrial/RA-interaction. Therefore, our results indicate that increased RA pressure is not a sign of overt RV failure but rather a reflection of HFpEF-severity

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension in Greece: Data from the Hellenic Pulmonary Hypertension Registry

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a novel and promising treatment option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who are ineligible for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and for those with persistent or recurrent pulmonary hypertension after PEA. We present the results of BPA procedures in CTEPH patients included in the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Registry, evaluating the real-life efficacy and safety. We analyzed data from 180 BPA procedures (2&ndash;17/patient, mean 8 &plusmn; 4/patient, 1248 dilated vessels, 0&ndash;18/session). Significant improvements were observed in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (a reduction by 44%, p &lt; 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (reduction by 60%, p &lt; 0.001), and NT-proBNP (decrease by &gt;70%, p: 0.003), while cardiac index improved modestly (9% increase, p = 0.143). We had 37 BPA-related non-fatal complications (20.6% in all interventions), predominantly including hemoptysis. Overall survival was 91%, 75% and 62% at 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. Therefore, BPA may be a promising therapeutic option in patients with CTEPH in Greece

Epidemiology and initial management of pulmonary arterial hypertension: real-world data from the Hellenic pulmOnary hyPertension rEgistry (HOPE)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a heterogenous clinical entity with poor prognosis, despite recent major pharmacological advances. To increase awareness about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and management of the disease, large national registries are required. The Hellenic pulmOnary hyPertension rEgistry (HOPE) was launched in early 2015 and enrolls patients from all pulmonary hypertension subgroups in Greece. Baseline epidemiologic, diagnostic, and initial treatment data of consecutive patients with PAH are presented in this article. In total, 231 patients with PAH were enrolled from January 2015 until April 2018. At baseline, about half of patients with PAH were in World Health Organization functional class II. The majority of patients with PAH (56.7%) were at intermediate 1-year mortality risk, while more than one-third were low-risk patients, according to an abbreviated risk stratification score. Half of patients with PAH were on monotherapy, 38.9% received combination therapy, while prostanoids were used only in 12.1% of patients. In conclusion, baseline data of the Greek PAH population share common characteristics, but also have some differences with other registries, the most prominent being a better functional capacity. This may reflect earlier diagnosis of PAH that in conjunction with the increased proportion of patients with atypical PAH could partially explain the preference for monotherapy and the limited use of prostanoids in Greece. Nevertheless, early, advanced specific therapy is strongly recommended. © The Author(s) 2019