%0 Journal Article %A Eduardo Garcia %A Fernanda Waltrick Martins %A Taiane Francieli Rebelatto %A Lucas Jesus de Medeiros %A Rangel Oslen de Carvalho %A Ajácio Brandão %T Prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in hepatic liver transplant candidates in Santa Casa Hospital %D 2011 %J European Respiratory Journal %P p2332 %V 38 %N Suppl 55 %X Background: Portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) is defined by the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension, comprehending mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) > 25 mmHg at rest and pulmonary vascular resistance > 120 dinas/seg/cm5, in association with severe liver disease or portal hypertension. PPH has important implications for the prognosis of chronic liver disease patients. The prevalence of PPH is conflicting in medical literature, ranging from 2 to 9% in larger studies.Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and severity of pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe liver disease or portal hypertension.Methods: Retrospective cross sectional review of 390 medical records regarding 375 patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver transplantation at Santa Casa Hospital (Porto Alegre- Brazil), from February 2002 to April 2009. Fifteen patient records whose patients underwent retransplantation were excluded, as well as 31 patient records which lack information. The final sample had 344 patients. The present study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. During the liver transplantation procedure, it was performed the pulmonary artery catheterization, and it has been made the measurement of the mPAP.Results: The patients mean age was 52.9 years old (14-74) and male gender comprised 62.8% (n = 216) of this sample. The prevalence of PPH was 10.2% (n = 35). Seventy seven per cent (n = 27) were classified as having mild PPH (mPAP 25 - 35mmHg) and 23% (n = 8) as moderate (36-50mmHg). The mean mPAP was 20.7 mmHg.Conclusion: The studied sample showed a slight increase in the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension when compared to former data in literature. %U