Improvement in Right Ventricular Function in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Author Information
Author(s): Huez Sandrine, Vachiéry Jean-Luc, Naeije Robert
Primary Institution: Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
Hypothesis
Can reversibility testing improve right ventricular function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension?
Conclusion
Reversibility testing in pulmonary arterial hypertension may lead to significant improvements in right ventricular function, even if pulmonary artery pressure remains elevated.
Supporting Evidence
- The inhalation of iloprost significantly decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance.
- Echocardiographic indices of right ventricular function returned to normal or near-normal during the reversibility test.
- The patient was treated with calcium channel blockers after meeting the responder criteria.
Takeaway
This study shows that a special test can help improve the heart's right side in a patient with high blood pressure in the lungs, even if the pressure doesn't go back to normal.
Methodology
The study involved right heart catheterization and echocardiographic assessments before and during reversibility testing with inhaled iloprost.
Limitations
The findings are based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
One 24-year-old woman with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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