RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pulmonary artery diameter and pulsatility did not decrease after vasodilator therapy lasting two years
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p2380
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Pierluigi Bracciale
A1 Fabio Valerio
A1 Salvatore Bellanova
A1 Giuseppe Valerio
A1 Liliana Mangiacotti
A1 Anna Grazia D'Agostino
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2380.abstract
AB Background: In Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) the Pulmonary Artery (PA) dilates proportionally with pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAPx) and resistance (PVR) together with a reduced pulsatility.Aim of the study: Our aim was to assess effect of vasodilator therapy (eg Bosentan) upon diameter and pulsatility of PA during PH.Methods: Twenty patients affected by PH were studied by means of whole body pletismography, haemodynamics, and HRCT. Bosentan (125mg bid) was administered for two years and examination were repeated again on 10 patients still alive.Results: In survivors Bosentan diminished pulmonary artery pressure and vascular resistance; pulmonary artery diameter and pulsatility did not change significantly with a modest worsening.Conclusion: The lack of changes of diameter, despite the decrease of pressures, indicate that progressive intrinsic wall vessel changes took place. Pulmonary artery diameter and pulsatility do not allow to assess the response to the therapy.