Successful treatment of portopulmonary hypertension with bosentan: case report

Eur J Clin Invest. 2006 Sep:36 Suppl 3:62-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2006.01693.x.

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is found in 2-20% of cirrhosis patients who have portal hypertension (portopulmonary hypertension, PPHT). Endothelin (ET), a potent vasoconstrictor, is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. We describe the long-term successful use of the dual ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonist bosentan in a 43-year-old male with alcohol-related cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A), right ventricular enlargement and dysfunction, respectively, and moderate PAH. Elevated pulmonary arterial pressure was substantially reduced and exercise capacity increased. Improvement was maintained over 2 years, and bosentan treatment continues in this patient. Our report is in line with a series of current reports in PPHT that support the use of bosentan in this subset of PAH patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Bosentan
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension, Portal / physiopathology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Sulfonamides / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasodilation / drug effects

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
  • Sulfonamides
  • Bosentan