Eur Respir J 2005; 26:858-863 Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2005 doi: 10.1183/09031936.05.00075305
Goal-oriented treatment and combination therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension
M. M. Hoeper,
I. Markevych,
E. Spiekerkoetter,
T. Welte and
J. Niedermeyer
Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
CORRESPONDENCE: M. M. Hoeper, Hannover Medical School, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. Fax: 49 5115328536. E-mail: hoeper.marius{at}mh-hannover.de
Keywords: Endothelin receptor antagonists, hypertension, prostaglandins, pulmonary, sildenafil
Received: June 27, 2005
Accepted July 26, 2005
Combination therapy may improve outcome in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
PAH patients were treated according to a goal-oriented therapeutic strategy. Patients who did not reach the treatment goals with monotherapy received combination treatment according to a predefined strategy, including bosentan, sildenafil and inhaled iloprost. Intravenous iloprost and lung transplantation were reserved for treatment failures. End points were overall survival, transplantation-free survival, and survival free from transplantation and intravenous prostanoid treatment.
Between January 2002 and December 2004, 123 consecutive patients with PAH were treated according to the novel approach. Survival at 1, 2 and 3 yrs was 93.0, 83.1 and 79.9%, respectively, which was significantly better than the survival of a historical control group, as well as the expected survival. Compared to the historical control group, the use of combination treatment also significantly improved the combined end point of death, lung transplantation and need for intravenous iloprost treatment.
In conclusion, a therapeutic approach utilising combinations of bosentan, sildenafil and inhaled iloprost in conjunction with a goal-oriented treatment strategy provides acceptable long-term results in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, and reduces the need for intravenous prostaglandin treatment and lung transplantation.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Delcroix, K. Spaas, and R. Quarck
Long-term outcome in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a plea for earlier parenteral prostacyclin therapy
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
December 1, 2009;
18(114):
253 - 259.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of, N. Galie, M. M. Hoeper, M. Humbert, A. Torbicki, J-L. Vachiery, J. A. Barbera, M. Beghetti, P. Corris, S. Gaine, et al.
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
December 1, 2009;
34(6):
1219 - 1263.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. Montani, X. Jais, P. Dorfmuller, G. Simonneau, O. Sitbon, and M. Humbert
Goal-oriented therapy in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: a word of caution
Eur. Respir. J.,
November 1, 2009;
34(5):
1204 - 1206.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
Authors/Task Force Members, N. Galie, M. M. Hoeper, M. Humbert, A. Torbicki, J.-L. Vachiery, J. A. Barbera, M. Beghetti, P. Corris, S. Gaine, et al.
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), endorsed by the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT)
Eur. Heart J.,
October 2, 2009;
30(20):
2493 - 2537.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Wensel, C. Jilek, M. Dorr, D. P. Francis, H. Stadler, T. Lange, F. Blumberg, C. Opitz, M. Pfeifer, and R. Ewert
Impaired cardiac autonomic control relates to disease severity in pulmonary hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
October 1, 2009;
34(4):
895 - 901.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. Galie, L. Negro, and G. Simonneau
The use of combination therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension: new developments
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
September 1, 2009;
18(113):
148 - 153.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J-L. Vachiery and G. Coghlan
Screening for pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
September 1, 2009;
18(113):
162 - 169.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. Provencher and O. Sitbon
Intravenous iloprost for pulmonary arterial hypertension: still waiting for evidence
Eur. Respir. J.,
July 1, 2009;
34(1):
7 - 9.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper, H. Gall, H. J. Seyfarth, M. Halank, H. A. Ghofrani, J. Winkler, H. Golpon, K. M. Olsson, N. Nickel, C. Opitz, et al.
Long-term outcome with intravenous iloprost in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
July 1, 2009;
34(1):
132 - 137.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. B. Badesch, H. C. Champion, M. A. Gomez Sanchez, M. M. Hoeper, J. E. Loyd, A. Manes, M. McGoon, R. Naeije, H. Olschewski, R. J. Oudiz, et al.
Diagnosis and assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
June 30, 2009;
54(1 Suppl):
S55 - S66.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. J. Barst, J. S. R. Gibbs, H. A. Ghofrani, M. M. Hoeper, V. V. McLaughlin, L. J. Rubin, O. Sitbon, V. F. Tapson, and N. Galie
Updated evidence-based treatment algorithm in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
June 30, 2009;
54(1 Suppl):
S78 - S84.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Quarck, T. Nawrot, B. Meyns, and M. Delcroix
C-reactive protein a new predictor of adverse outcome in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
April 7, 2009;
53(14):
1211 - 1218.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H. J. Bogaard, K. Abe, A. Vonk Noordegraaf, and N. F. Voelkel
The Right Ventricle Under Pressure: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Right-Heart Failure in Pulmonary Hypertension
Chest,
March 1, 2009;
135(3):
794 - 804.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S G Haworth and A A Hislop
Treatment and survival in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension: the UK Pulmonary Hypertension Service for Children 2001-2006
Heart,
February 1, 2009;
95(4):
312 - 317.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. D. McGoon and G. C. Kane
Pulmonary Hypertension: Diagnosis and Management
Mayo Clin. Proc.,
February 1, 2009;
84(2):
191 - 207.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
I. R. Henkens, C. T.-J. Gan, S. A. van Wolferen, M. Hew, A. Boonstra, J. W. R. Twisk, O. Kamp, E. E. van der Wall, M. J. Schalij, A. Vonk Noordegraaf, et al.
ECG Monitoring of Treatment Response in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients
Chest,
December 1, 2008;
134(6):
1250 - 1257.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Spence, A. Mandagere, C. Dufton, and J. Venitz
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Ambrisentan in Combination With Sildenafil in Healthy Volunteers
J. Clin. Pharmacol.,
December 1, 2008;
48(12):
1451 - 1459.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. Simonneau, L. J. Rubin, N. Galie, R. J. Barst, T. R. Fleming, A. E. Frost, P. J. Engel, M. R. Kramer, G. Burgess, L. Collings, et al.
Addition of Sildenafil to Long-Term Intravenous Epoprostenol Therapy in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Randomized Trial
Ann Intern Med,
October 21, 2008;
149(8):
521 - 530.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. L. Benza, R. J. Barst, N. Galie, A. Frost, R. E. Girgis, K. B. Highland, C. Strange, C. M. Black, D. B. Badesch, L. Rubin, et al.
Sitaxsentan for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A 1-Year, Prospective, Open-Label Observation of Outcome and Survival
Chest,
October 1, 2008;
134(4):
775 - 782.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Le Pavec, R. Souza, P. Herve, D. Lebrec, L. Savale, C. Tcherakian, X. Jais, A. Yaici, M. Humbert, G. Simonneau, et al.
Portopulmonary Hypertension: Survival and Prognostic Factors
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
September 15, 2008;
178(6):
637 - 643.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. Nickel, T. Kempf, H. Tapken, J. Tongers, F. Laenger, U. Lehmann, H. Golpon, K. Olsson, M. R. Wilkins, J. S. R. Gibbs, et al.
Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
September 1, 2008;
178(5):
534 - 541.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Suntharalingam, C. M. Treacy, N. J. Doughty, K. Goldsmith, E. Soon, M. R. Toshner, K. K. Sheares, R. Hughes, N. W. Morrell, and J. Pepke-Zaba
Long-term Use of Sildenafil in Inoperable Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Chest,
August 1, 2008;
134(2):
229 - 236.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A E Lammers, A A Hislop, Y Flynn, and S G Haworth
The 6-minute walk test: normal values for children of 4-11 years of age
Arch. Dis. Child.,
June 1, 2008;
93(6):
464 - 468.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. M. Chin and L. J. Rubin
Pulmonary arterial hypertension.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.,
April 22, 2008;
51(16):
1527 - 1538.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
National Pulmonary Hypertension Centres of the UK
Consensus statement on the management of pulmonary hypertension in clinical practice in the UK and Ireland
Heart,
March 1, 2008;
94(Suppl_1):
i1 - i41.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
National Pulmonary Hypertension Centres of the UK
Consensus statement on the management of pulmonary hypertension in clinical practice in the UK and Ireland
Thorax,
March 1, 2008;
63(Suppl_2):
ii1 - ii41.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper and A. T. Dinh-Xuan
Pulmonary hypertension: basic concepts and practical management
Eur. Respir. J.,
February 1, 2008;
31(2):
236 - 237.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper, H. J. Seyfarth, G. Hoeffken, H. Wirtz, E. Spiekerkoetter, M. W. Pletz, T. Welte, and M. Halank
Experience with inhaled iloprost and bosentan in portopulmonary hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
December 1, 2007;
30(6):
1096 - 1102.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper and F. Laenger
Challenging cases in PH
Eur. Respir. Rev.,
August 1, 2007;
16(102):
19 - 23.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Torbicki
Cardiac magnetic resonance in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a step in the right direction
Eur. Heart J.,
May 5, 2007;
(2007)
ehm074v1.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper, M. W. Pletz, H. Golpon, and T. Welte
Prognostic value of blood gas analyses in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
May 1, 2007;
29(5):
944 - 950.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper
Observational trials in pulmonary arterial hypertension: low scientific evidence but high clinical value
Eur. Respir. J.,
March 1, 2007;
29(3):
432 - 434.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. C. Mathai, R. E. Girgis, M. R. Fisher, H. C. Champion, T. Housten-Harris, A. Zaiman, and P. M. Hassoun
Addition of sildenafil to bosentan monotherapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
March 1, 2007;
29(3):
469 - 475.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S C Apostolopoulou, A Manginas, D V Cokkinos, and S Rammos
Long-term oral bosentan treatment in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease: a 2-year study
Heart,
March 1, 2007;
93(3):
350 - 354.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. Mereles, N. Ehlken, S. Kreuscher, S. Ghofrani, M. M. Hoeper, M. Halank, F. J. Meyer, G. Karger, J. Buss, J. Juenger, et al.
Exercise and Respiratory Training Improve Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Severe Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension
Circulation,
October 3, 2006;
114(14):
1482 - 1489.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Gomberg-Maitland
Learning to pair therapies and the expanding matrix for pulmonary arterial hypertension: is more better?
Eur. Respir. J.,
October 1, 2006;
28(4):
683 - 686.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper, H. Leuchte, M. Halank, H. Wilkens, F. J. Meyer, H. J. Seyfarth, R. Wensel, F. Ripken, H. Bremer, S. Kluge, et al.
Combining inhaled iloprost with bosentan in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
October 1, 2006;
28(4):
691 - 694.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Bresser, J. Pepke-Zaba, X. Jais, M. Humbert, and M. M. Hoeper
Medical Therapies for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: An Evolving Treatment Paradigm
Proceedings of the ATS,
September 1, 2006;
3(7):
594 - 600.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
F. Reichenberger, R. Voswinckel, E. Steveling, B. Enke, A. Kreckel, H. Olschewski, F. Grimminger, W. Seeger, and H. A. Ghofrani
Sildenafil treatment for portopulmonary hypertension
Eur. Respir. J.,
September 1, 2006;
28(3):
563 - 567.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper, T. Welte, G. Izbicki, D. Rosengarten, E. Picard, W. G. Kuschner, N. Galie, L. J. Rubin, and G. Simonneau
Sildenafil citrate therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
N. Engl. J. Med.,
March 9, 2006;
354(10):
1091 - 1093.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
V. V. McLaughlin
'Raising the bar' for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Eur. Heart J.,
March 1, 2006;
27(5):
510 - 511.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Hoeper and L. J. Rubin
Update in pulmonary hypertension 2005.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
March 1, 2006;
173(5):
499 - 505.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 2005 by the European Respiratory Society.
|
|