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The use of sildenafil to treat pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease
Author(s) -
CORTE Tamera J.,
GATZOULIS Michael A.,
PARFITT Lisa,
HARRIES Carl,
WELLS Athol U.,
WORT S. John
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2010.01860.x
Subject(s) - sildenafil , medicine , interstitial lung disease , pulmonary hypertension , cardiology , brain natriuretic peptide , lung , blood pressure , heart failure
Background and objective: Limited data suggest a benefit following sildenafil treatment in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). The role of sildenafil in the management of PH in ILD is not clear. We report our experience of ILD patients with PH after 6‐month sildenafil therapy. Methods: We reviewed 15 patients (mean age 55 ± 15 years; 8 men) with ILD (mean FVC 52.6 ± 15.4%) and PH (mean right ventricular systolic pressure 73.8 ± 17.8 mm Hg). Median brain natriuretic peptide: 37 (5–452) pmol/L; mean 6MWD: 156 ± 101 m. Results: Following 6‐month treatment with sildenafil, brain natriuretic peptide levels were lower ( n = 12, P = 0.03), 6MWD was higher ( n = 6, P < 0.05), but no change in right ventricular systolic pressure ( n = 11) was demonstrated. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that sildenafil may be useful in the management of PH in ILD. Controlled trials are warranted before therapeutic recommendations can be made.