Pulmonary Hypertension: Management Update

Robert Vassallo, MDDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineMayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

KUWAIT 2014

Disclosures

• I have nothing to disclose with respect to this presentation.

Key objectives of this presentation

• Review WHO updated classification of pulmonary hypertension.

• Review diagnostic approach and caveats with testing for pulmonary hypertension.

• Outline a clinical rationale for the management of pulmonary hypertension.

• Discuss situations when expert opinion and referral to specialized centers may be necessary.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Concept…

…progressive increase in the blood pressure in the pulmonary vascular bed

Consequence…

…right heart failure and death

Criteria for Pulmonary Hypertension

• Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure MPAP > 25 mmHg at rest with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ≤15 mm Hg

4th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension, Dana Point, CA 2008

Potential sites to induce Pulmonary Hypertension

Post-capillaryPre-capillary

Updated Clinical Classification of Pulmonary Hypertension

1. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)1. idiopathic (“primary pulmonary hypertension”)2. secondary to systemic disorders

2. Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (pulmonary venous hypertension)

3. Pulmonary hypertension associated with respiratory disease and/or hypoxia

1. COPD, Interstitial lung disease, OSA

4. Chronic thromboembolic/embolic pulmonary hypertension

5. Pulmonary hypertension from unclear mechanisms

Journal of the American College of CardiologyVol. 62, No. 25, Suppl D, 2013

0 5 10 15 20

Cardiac Output [L/min]

90

60

30

0

Mean PA pressure

REST EXCERCISE

Mean pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac output relationship

Normal

Mild to moderate

Severe

Signs and symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension

• Symptoms and signs are usually not specific; delay in diagnosis very common.

• Early – dyspnea with activity.

• Late symptoms:• syncope• chest pain / chest pressure• leg edema (signs of right heart failure)• abnormal findings on chest X ray or ECG

Diagnostic studies: Chest radiography

Radiographic findings are subtle and often missed

ECG abnormalities

• Right heart strain (RVH and RA enlargement)

• Non-specific

• Right axis deviation

• ST depression and T wave inversion V1-V3

Screening for pulmonary hypertension

• There is no perfect screening tool.

• Transthoracic echocardiography

• Goals: • 1. determine right ventricular size

and systolic function• 2. estimate right ventricular systolic

pressure

Diagnostic testing: Trans-thoracic echocardiography

RA LA

LV

RV

Echo transducerEcho transducerEcho transducerEcho transducer

PASP = (4 x [TRV]2) + RAPPASP = (4 x [TRV]2) + RAPPASP = (4 x [TRV]2) + RAPPASP = (4 x [TRV]2) + RAP

CP900234-1

Echocardiography uses Doppler ultrasound to estimate the pulmonary artery systolic pressure

Pulmonary hypertension diagnosis via right heart catheterization

From Mayo Clinic Right Heart Catheterization Training Manual – Cardiology Rotation

Clinical approach to suspect pulmonary hypertension

• If the echocardiogram suggests the presence of pulmonary hypertension

• 1. perform careful evaluation for secondary causes

• 2. consider whether you should proceed to right heart catheterization

Once you have identified pulmonary hypertension, look for causes

1. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)1. idiopathic (“primary pulmonary hypertension”)2. secondary to systemic disorders

2. Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (pulmonary venous hypertension)

3. Pulmonary hypertension associated with respiratory disease and/or hypoxia

1. COPD, Interstitial lung disease, OSA

4. Chronic thromboembolic/embolic pulmonary hypertension

5. Pulmonary hypertension from unclear mechanisms

Journal of the American College of CardiologyVol. 62, No. 25, Suppl D, 2013

Once pulmonary hypertension is detected, look for causes!

European Heart Journal (2009) 30, 2493–2537

European Heart Journal (2009) 30, 2493–2537

History and Exam LFT, CBC Autoimmune screen Overnight oximetry Echocardiography Chest CT V/Q scan PFT HIV serology

Other testing as suggested by H&P

PAH (Group 1) Medication Options

Mild Moderate Severe

25 <MPAP< 35 35 <MPAP< 50 MPAP> 50

� Ca++ Channel Blocker X

� Endothelin antagonist X X

� PDE-5 inhibitor X X

� Prostanoids X X � Inhaled iloprost X X� SQ treprostinil X X � IV epoprostenol X X

Group 1: “Primary” pulmonary arterial hypertension

• Remember PAH (Group 1) and PH (Groups 2-5) are different entities

• PAH is a progressive disease with a 50% survival at 2.8 years

• Can lead to sudden death

• Often affects young adults: mean age 45 years

• Rarely familial

Group 1: Secondary pulmonary artery hypertension

• Collagen vascular disease• scleroderma • Systemic lupus erythematosus

• Liver disease

• Congenital heart

• Drugs/toxins

• HIV infection

Therapy

• Treat any underlying disease.

• Treat cardiac disease (left sided).

• Treat lung disease and hypoxemia.

• Treat obstructive sleep apnea or any associated sleep disorder.

• Treat thromboembolic disease.

• Remember: Groups 2-5 are managed differently and vasodilator therapy is NOT recommended.

Intravenous Vasodilators

Pulmonary Arterial Respiratory Disease Pulmonary Venous

Increased ShuntPulmonary Edema

Adjunctive therapy

• Salt restriction.

• Diuretics as needed.

• Oxygen at rest or with activity.

• Flu and pneumococcal vaccination.

• Digoxin ? Role if any.

• Anticoagulation ?

Group 1 PAH therapy

Drug of choice?

• Right heart catheterization vasodilator “challenge”

� 20% acute drop in MPAP and PVR? ...begin with ca++ channel blocker

Right Heart Catheterization and Vasodilator Trial

Improved

Acute Responder Non-Responder

Calcium Channel Blocker

NYHA II-IV

Vasodilator therapy ERA or PDE5-inh or prostacyclin analog

Not Improved

Transplant

Consider combination therapy

Involve a specialist with expertise

Calcium Channel Blockers

• PAH therapy is based on severity of disease as determined by right heart catheterization and responsiveness to vasoactivity testing.

• Although not FDA approved for the treatment of PAH, CCBs commonly used are nifedipine, diltiazem, and amlodipine.

• All agents are titrated to clinical effect.

Objective measures to monitor therapy…every 3-6 months

• 6 minute walk (goal > 300 meters)

• NT-ProBNP (Brain Naturetic Peptide)

• Sequential echocardiography

• Other studies depending on context

…other therapeutic options

• If chronic pulmonary emboli…� pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

surgery

• If all meds fail…� atrial septostomy� organ transplantation

• heart-double lung• double lung

Riociguat (a stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase) significantly improved exercise capacity and pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

N Engl J Med 2013;369:319-29.

Final “take home” messages

• New onset exertional dyspnea…think of pulmonary hypertension.

• Screen by Transthoracic Doppler Echo but make sure you tell the cardiologist that you are thinking of PH!

• Definitive diagnosis by right heart catheterization.

• Several pharmacologic options now available: selection a function of PAH severity, expertise, cost assessment, and other factors.

• Pregnancy may cause significant challenges.

• PH patients are increasingly older with potential multiple ongoing diagnoses.

Thank you so much for the invitation.