Skip to main content
Log in

Successful switch from inhalative iloprost to oral bosentan in portopulmonary hypertension associated with liver cirrhosis

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian M. Kähler.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-004-0238-2

Keywords

Navigation