Targeted therapy in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: time for a rethink?

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare condition with poor prognosis, and lung transplantation is recommended as the only curative therapy. The role of pulmonary arterial hypertension targeted therapy in PVOD remains controversial, and long-term effects of targeted therapy have been rarely reported. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the role of targeted therapy in PVOD patients and the long-term outcome.

METHODS:

PVOD patients with good responses to targeted therapies were analyzed, and data pre- and post- targeted therapies were compared. An overview of the effects of targeted therapies on PVOD patients was also conducted.

RESULTS:

Five genetically or histologically confirmed PVOD patients received targeted therapies and showed good responses. Their mean pulmonary arterial pressure by right heart catheterization was 62.0 ± 11.7 mmHg. Two receiving monotherapy got stabilized, and three receiving sequential combination therapy got improved, cardiac function and exercise capacity significantly improved after treatments. No pulmonary edema occurred. The mean time from the first targeted therapy to the last follow up was 39.3 months, and the longest was 9 years. A systematic review regarding the effects of targeted therapies on PVOD patients indicated majorities of patients got hemodynamics or 6-min walk distance improved, and 26.7% patients developed pulmonary edema. The interval from targeted drugs use to death ranged from 71 min to over 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cautious use of targeted therapy could safely and effectively improve or stabilize hemodynamics and exercise capacity of some patients without any complications. PVOD patients could live longer than expected.

• Authors: Qin Luo, Qi Jin, Zhihui Zhao, Qing Zhao, Xue Yu, Lu Yan, Yi Zhang, Changming Xiong, Zhihong Liu
• Journal: BMC pulmonary medicine (BMC Pulm Med) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 257 (Dec 19 2019) ISSN: 1471-2466 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31856792 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Acetamides
• Anticoagulants
• Antihypertensive Agents
• Diuretics
• Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
• Enzyme Activators
• Peptide Fragments
• Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
• Prostaglandins
• Pyrazines
• Pyrazoles
• Pyrimidines
• pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
• selexipag
• riociguat

Topics

• Acetamides (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Anticoagulants (therapeutic use)
• Antihypertensive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Disease Progression
• Diuretics (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Echocardiography, Doppler
• Endothelin Receptor Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Enzyme Activators (therapeutic use)
• Exercise Tolerance
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Natriuretic Peptide, Brain (metabolism)
• Peptide Fragments (metabolism)
• Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Prostaglandins (therapeutic use)
• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (drug therapy, etiology, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity
• Pulmonary Edema (chemically induced)
• Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease (complications, drug therapy, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Pyrazines (therapeutic use)
• Pyrazoles (therapeutic use)
• Pyrimidines (therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies
• Walk Test