Summary
Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) is a rare complication of liver cirrhosis. Prostanoids have been shown to be effective in the treatment of PPHTN and have been used as a bridge to orthotopic liver transplantation. However, inhibition of platelet aggregation might be a limitation of prostacyclin therapy in patients with end-stage liver disease having an increased risk of bleeding from esophageal varices. The effect of oral bosentan, a dual endothelin-receptor antagonist in the reversal of PPHTN, is still unclear. We report a case of PPHTN (mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] of 51 mm Hg) that was successfully switched from inhalative iloprost to oral bosentan therapy. Hemodynamic and symptomatic improvements were maintained after a 12-month long-term treatment with inhalative iloprost as well as after single oral bosentan therapy. This is the first reported case of a successful switch from therapy with an inhalative prostacyclin analogue to oral bosentan in a patient suffering from PPHTN. Thus, oral bosentan therapy might be a promising new option for patients suffering from PPHTN.
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Molnar, C., Alber, H., Colleselli, D. et al. Successful switch from inhalative iloprost to oral bosentan in portopulmonary hypertension associated with liver cirrhosis. Wien Klin Wochenschr 116, 627–630 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-004-0238-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-004-0238-2