The Use of Risk Assessment Tools and Prognostic Scores in Managing Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

A real-world comparative effectiveness analysis of macitentan versus ambrisentan and bosentan on hospitalizations and healthcare resource utilization in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

BACKGROUND

Few studies have evaluated macitentan alongside other endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This retrospective, observational, real-world, comparative effectiveness analysis assessed outcomes in PAH with macitentan versus other ERAs.

METHODS

Adults (≥18 years) were included from the de-identified Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database (January 2014-December 2023). Index date was first ERA prescription. Patients were continuously enrolled in the database for ≥12 months before index (baseline), with pulmonary hypertension/PAH diagnosis and right-heart catheterization during baseline. Primary endpoint was time to first PAH-related hospitalization (Cox proportional-hazards). Secondary endpoints included healthcare resource utilization.

RESULTS

Overall, 518 patients receiving macitentan and 379 other ERAs (ambrisentan, n = 370; bosentan, n = 9) were included. Mean age was 67 years and ∼70 % were female. Patients on macitentan versus other ERAs had higher baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index (P < 0.007). Risks of PAH-related and all-cause hospitalization were 19 % and 20 % lower, respectively, for macitentan versus other ERAs (hazard ratios: 0.81, P = 0.034; 0.80, P = 0.020, respectively). There were fewer all-cause and PAH-related intensive care unit (ICU) stays for macitentan versus other ERAs (P = 0.009, P = 0.013, respectively). Overall duration of all-cause ICU stay per patient per year was significantly shorter for macitentan versus other ERAs (7.0 vs 7.7 days; P = 0.003), as was the duration of all-cause ICU stay per visit (2.4 vs 3.7 days; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Macitentan was associated with a significantly reduced risk of PAH-related and all-cause hospitalization, with lower ICU healthcare resource utilization, versus other ERAs.

Electrocardiographic markers predict hemodynamic parameters in adults with uncorrected secundum atrial septal defect

BACKGROUND

Precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) as complication in atrial septal defect (ASD) is closely related to right heart hemodynamics, such as right atrial pressure (RAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Right heart catheterization (RHC) as the gold standard for their measurement is invasive and not widely available in Indonesia. Electrocardiography (ECG) was proposed to be alternative in this matter.

METHOD

This is a retrospective observational study with cross-sectional design. We collected data and measured ECG parameters of secundum ASD patients who underwent elective RHC from May 2019 until November 2023. We compared several ECG parameters based on RAP (< 8 and ≥ 8 mmHg) and PVR (< 5 and ≥ 5 WU).

RESULT

Eighty-three patients were included. The RV1 was the only ECG marker that showed significant difference based on RAP (AUC 0.639, sensitivity 61.7%, specificity 61.1%, p = 0.030) and PVR (AUC 0.801, sensitivity 73.2%, specificity 81%, p < 0.001). Several ECG parameters were found significantly different based on PVR value only, namely SV5 (AUC 0.773, sensitivity 80.5%, specificity 71.4%, p < 0.001), SV6 (AUC 0.823, sensitivity 80.5%, specificity 81%, p < 0.001), right ventricular Sokolow-Lyon index (RVSLI) (AUC 0.841, sensitivity 82.9%, specificity 83.3%, p < 0.001), R/SV1 (sensitivity 97.6%, specificity 16.7%, p = 0.031) as well as right ventricular strain (sensitivity 87.8%, specificity 69%, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed RVSLI (OR 15.66 (4.46-55.02), CI 95%) and right ventricular strain pattern (OR 9.23 (2.43-35.14), CI 95%) had the best predictive value for PVR ≥ 5 WU.

CONCLUSION

In adults with secundum ASD, several ECG markers have potential role in predicting PVR ≥ 5 WU with satisfying sensitivity and specificity, but not in predicting RAP.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Navigating the pathways of progress in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a form of precapillary pulmonary hypertension caused by a complex process of endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling. If left untreated, this progressive disease presents with symptoms of incapacitating fatigue causing marked loss of quality of life, eventually culminating in right ventricular failure and death. Patient management is complex and based on accurate diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment initiation, with close monitoring of response and disease progression. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology has enabled the development of multiple drugs directed at different targets in the pathological chain. Vasodilator therapy has been the mainstay approach for the last few years, significantly improving quality of life, functional status, and survival. Recent advances in therapies targeting dysfunctional pathways beyond endothelial dysfunction may address the fundamental processes underlying the disease, raising the prospect of increasingly effective options for this high-risk group of patients with a historically poor prognosis.

Elderly Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension: Clinical Characteristics, Survival, and Risk Stratification in a Single-Center Prospective Registry

INTRODUCTION

The predictive value of the risk stratification scales in elderly patients with IPAH might differ from that in younger patients. It is unknown whether young and older IPAH patients have the same survival dependence on PAH-specific therapy numbers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of risk stratification scales and PAH medication numbers in elderly IPAH patients in comparison with young IPAH patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 119 patients from a prospective single-center PAH registry were divided into group I < 60 years old (n = 89) and group II ≥ 60 years old (n = 30). ESC/ERS, REVEAL, and REVEAL 2.0 risk stratification scores were assessed at baseline, as well as H2FpEF score and survival at follow-up.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up period of 2.9 years (1.63; 6.0), 42 (35.3%) patients died; at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years, survival was 95%, 88.6%, 78.5%, 61.7%, 48.5%, and 33.7%, respectively. No survival differences were observed between the two groups, despite the use of monotherapy in the elderly patients. The best predictive REVEAL value in elderly patients (IPAH patients ≥ 60 years) was AUC 0.73 (0.56-0.91), p = 0.03; and in patients with LHD comorbidities in the entire cohort, it was AUC 0.73 (0.59-0.87), p < 0.009. Factors independently associated with death in the entire cohort were CKD (p = 0.01, HR 0.2), the right-to-left ventricle dimension ratio (p = 0.0047, HR 5.97), and NT-proBNP > 1400 pg/mL (p = 0.008, HR 3.18).

CONCLUSION

Risk stratification in the elderly IPAH patients requires a fundamentally different approach than that of younger patients, taking into account the initial limitations in physical performance and comorbidities that interfere with current assessment scores. The REVEAL score reliably stratifies patients at any age and LHD comorbidities. The initial monotherapy seems to be reasonable in patients over 60 years. Selection tools for initial combination PAH therapy in older IPAH patients with comorbidities need to be validated in prospective observational studies.

A prognostic model for systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: CSTAR-PAH cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a major cause of death in systemic lupus erythematosus, but there are no tools specialized for predicting survival in systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

RESEARCH QUESTION

To develop a practical model for predicting long-term prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

METHODS

A prognostic model was developed from a multicenter, longitudinal national cohort of consecutively evaluated patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. The study was conducted between November 2006 and February 2020. All-cause death was defined as the endpoint. Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operators were used to fit the model. Internal validation of the model was assessed by discrimination and calibration using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

Of 310 patients included in the study, 81 (26.1%) died within a median follow-up of 5.94 years (interquartile range 4.67-7.46). The final prognostic model included eight variables: modified World Health Organization functional class, 6-min walking distance, pulmonary vascular resistance, estimated glomerular filtration rate, thrombocytopenia, mild interstitial lung disease, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide/brain natriuretic peptide level, and direct bilirubin level. A 5-year death probability predictive algorithm was established and validated using the C-index (0.77) and a satisfactory calibration curve. Risk stratification was performed based on the predicted probability to improve clinical decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS

This new risk stratification model for systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension may provide individualized prognostic probability using readily obtained clinical risk factors. External validation is required to demonstrate the accuracy of this model's predictions in diverse patient populations.

Association of FOXO3A with right ventricular myocardial fibrosis and its detection by speckle-tracking echocardiography in pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

Myocardial fibrosis can result in right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, a critical factor in poor clinical outcomes and high mortality rates among patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Decreased RV myocardial strain rates have been reported in PH patients. The expression of FOXO3A may play a crucial role in myocardial fibrosis; however, the relationship between myocardial fibrosis, speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), and the transcription factor FOXO3A remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the molecular mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis and noninvasive ultrasound evaluation indices to provide a reliable molecular foundation for the early diagnosis of right heart dysfunction in clinical settings.

METHODS

A progressive right heart failure (RHF) rat model was established through subcutaneous injections of monocrotaline. Rats were divided into baseline, 2-week, 4-week, and 6-week groups based on the disease course. RV structure, function, and myocardial strain were assessed via echocardiography. Myocardial fibrosis severity was determined using PSR staining. The correlation between myocardial strain and RV myocardial fibrosis was analyzed. FOXO3A, collagen I, collagen III, and BNP expressions were tested using western blotting.

RESULTS

As the disease progressed, the right ventricle significantly expanded, and the RV fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV global longitudinal strain (RVLS global), and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVLS FW) gradually declined. However, the reductions in RVLS global and RVLS FW occurred earlier than that of RVFAC, TAPSE. Significant correlations were observed between RVLS global, RVLS FW, and collagen deposition. FOXO3A expression gradually decreased with disease progression, while BNP, collagen I, and collagen III expressions gradually increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreases in RVLS global and RVLS FW in RHF rats occurred earlier than RVFAC and were associated with RV myocardial fibrosis. Furthermore, FOXO3A may have a protective role in the process of RV myocardial fibrosis.

Risk Stratification in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Update and Perspectives

Risk stratification in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is crucial in assessing patient prognosis. It serves a prominent role in everyday patient care and can be determined using several validated risk assessment scores worldwide. The recently published 2022 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines underline the importance of risk stratification not only at baseline but also during follow-up. Achieving a low-risk status has now become the therapeutic goal, emphasising the importance of personalised therapy. The application of these guidelines is also important in determining the timing for lung transplantation referral. In this review, we summarise the most relevant prognostic factors of PAH as well as the parameters used in PAH risk scores and their evolution in the guidelines over the last decade. Finally, we describe the central role that risk stratification plays in the current guidelines not only in European countries but also in Asian countries.

Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Cardiology

As the world produces exabytes of data, there is a growing need to find new methods that are more suitable for dealing with complex datasets. Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant potential to impact the healthcare industry, which is already on the road to change with the digital transformation of vast quantities of information. The implementation of AI has already achieved success in the domains of molecular chemistry and drug discoveries. The reduction in costs and in the time needed for experiments to predict the pharmacological activities of new molecules is a milestone in science. These successful applications of AI algorithms provide hope for a revolution in healthcare systems. A significant part of artificial intelligence is machine learning (ML), of which there are three main types-supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. In this review, the full scope of the AI workflow is presented, with explanations of the most-often-used ML algorithms and descriptions of performance metrics for both regression and classification. A brief introduction to explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is provided, with examples of technologies that have developed for XAI. We review important AI implementations in cardiology for supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning and natural language processing, emphasizing the used algorithm. Finally, we discuss the need to establish legal, ethical, and methodical requirements for the deployment of AI models in medicine.

Influence of Iron Deficiency on Clinical and Haemodynamic Parameters in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Cohorts

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency (Fe_def) has been shown to be common in patients with group 1 or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Several studies have shown a negative impact of Fe_def on clinical and haemodynamic parameters of the disease, but data from individual studies have not been strong enough to lead to incorporation of the finding of Fe_def into prognostic or therapeutic algorithms. The goal of this meta-analysis was to combine data from available studies to better define any associations between Fe_def and established variables of prognostic importance in PAH.

METHODS

A literature search identified nine studies with extractable data relevant to the study questions. The impact of Fe_def upon the following parameters was evaluated: 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), WHO-functional class, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, echocardiography, and findings from right heart catheterisation (RHC). Pooled results were reported as mean difference or risk difference with 95% confidence intervals utilising a random effects modeling approach.

RESULTS

Fe_def in the PAH population was common (47% of cases) and was associated with cardiovascular dysfunction (lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], elevated NT-proBNP, and lower mixed venous oxygen saturation) and with reduction in functional capacity (lower 6MWD and higher functional class).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis strengthens the relationships between Fe_def and several markers of poor outcome in PAH. Fe_def in patients with PAH warrants further scrutiny and merits consideration as a cause of clinical deterioration. Even though causation and longitudinal relationships between Fe_def and PAH could not be identified, effect of Fe_def on factors that affect disease prognosis is noteworthy and worthy of more focussed studies.

Clinical application of risk assessment in PAH: Expert center APRN recommendations

Performing longitudinal and consistent risk assessments for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is important to help guide treatment decisions to achieve early on and maintain a low-risk status and improve patient morbidity and mortality. Clinical gestalt or expert perception alone may over or underestimate a patient's risk status. Indeed, regular and continued use of validated risk assessment tools more accurately predict patients' survival. Effective PAH risk assessments are often underutilized even though many seasoned clinicians will attest to using these tools routinely. We present recommendations based on real-world experience in varied clinical practice settings around the United States for overcoming barriers to facilitate regular, serial formal risk assessment. Expert advanced practice provider clinicians from mid to large-size medical centers collaborated to formulate recommendations based on multiple discourses and discussions. Enlisting the help of support staff, such as medical assistants and nurses, to fill in available risk parameters in risk assessment tools can save time for providers and increase efficiency, as can technology-based solutions such as integrating risk assessments into electronic medical records. Modified, abbreviated risk assessment tools can be applied to a patient's clinical scenario when all of a patient's data are not available to complete a more comprehensive assessment. Initial discussions regarding the overall meaning and prognostic importance of risk scores may assist patients to take on a more active role in terms of informed decision-making regarding their care. A collaborative approach can help clinics establish consistent use of risk assessment.

Risk assessment tools for survival prognosis: An era of new surrogacy endpoints for clinical outcome measurement in pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical trials?

Developing a new medication in a rare disease indication like pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is very challenging. This is especially true now that clinical trials often employ time to clinical worsening (TTCW) as an endpoint (thus requiring a relatively large and lengthy trial) and since patients are more frequently prescribed combination therapy. During the last few decades, several tools have been developed to predict mortality in PAH and have demonstrated generally good discrimination. The objective of this review article is to assess the available data on the different tools and methods described in the literature and identify potential candidates that could be used as surrogate endpoints in pivotal randomized clinical trials in future. Some of these tools have been validated in various registries and in post-hoc analyses of clinical trial data, but none have been assessed in a prospective clinical trial and we still lack the evidence necessary for endorsement by health authorities. In this review, we identify several promising options that warrant further investigation as potential surrogate endpoints in clinical trials to replace TTCW or 6-minute walk distance. Prospective inclusion of such tools in new clinical trials may help build a stronger surrogacy for prognosis of disease progression and mortality.

Change in REVEAL Lite 2 risk score predicts outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in the PATENT study

BACKGROUND

Risk assessment is essential in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) management. We investigated the effect of riociguat on REVEAL Lite 2 score, an abridged version of the REVEAL risk score, and its association with long-term outcomes in PATENT.

METHODS

PATENT-1 was a randomized, double-blind study of riociguat vs placebo in patients with PAH. In the PATENT-2 open-label extension, all patients received riociguat up to 2.5 mg three times daily (n = 396). REVEAL Lite 2 scores were calculated at baseline, PATENT-1 Week 12, and PATENT-2 Week 12, with patients stratified as low- (1-5), intermediate- (6-7), or high-risk (≥8). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses assessed association of riociguat with survival and clinical worsening-free survival (CWFS).

RESULTS

REVEAL Lite 2 score improved with riociguat 2.5 mg at PATENT-1 Week 12 (least-squares mean difference vs placebo: -0.8; p = 0.0004). More patients receiving riociguat 2.5 mg stabilized or improved risk stratum at PATENT-1 Week 12 vs placebo (p = 0.0005) and achieved low-risk status. REVEAL Lite 2 score at baseline and PATENT-1 Week 12 were associated with survival and CWFS (all p < 0.0001), as was change in score from baseline to Week 12 (p = 0.0002 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Survival and CWFS differed between risk strata at baseline (p < 0.0001) and PATENT-1 Week 12 (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis confirms the risk-reduction benefits of riociguat in patients with PAH and further contributes to the validation of REVEAL Lite 2 in facilitating PAH risk assessment.

Real-World Analysis of Treatment Patterns Among Hospitalized Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Introduction

Hospitalization is an important clinical factor associated with survival and rehospitalization in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Thus, this study examined treatment patterns before and after hospitalization in the US-specific population.

Methods

Adult PAH patients in the United States were identified using the Optum^® Clinformatics^® database from January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2019, and were required to have continuous health plan enrollment for at least 6 months prior to the first (index) hospitalization through at least 90 days post-discharge. Baseline patient characteristics were evaluated from 6 months prior to through the index hospitalization. PAH treatment patterns were examined from 30 days pre-index admission (pre-hospitalization) and 90 days post-index hospital discharge (post-hospitalization), and stratified by therapy type: monotherapy, double- or triple-combination therapy, or no PAH therapy.

Results

A total of 3116 hospitalized patients with PAH met selection criteria. The mean age and Charlson comorbidity index score were 68.1 years and 5.1, respectively. In the pre- and post-hospitalization periods (all-cause), respectively, patients prescribed monotherapy were most common (from 64.8% pre- to 51.9% post-hospitalization), followed by patients with no evidence of PAH therapy (from 14.6 to 28.5%). Among PAH-related hospitalizations, patients with monotherapy were also most common (from 60.8% pre- to 49.1% post-hospitalization), followed by patients with no evidence of PAH therapy (from 10.0 to 22.8%). The majority of patients with all-cause hospitalizations (72.8%) had no therapy modification; 20.0% de-escalated therapy (including 15.0% from monotherapy to no therapy) and 6.1% escalated therapy (including 2.2% from no therapy to monotherapy and 3.2% from monotherapy to double or triple therapy).

Conclusion

Inpatient admissions did not appear to drive changes in PAH therapy management, as monotherapy predominated, and most patients had no therapy modification within 90 days of a hospitalization. These results warrant future research to understand the reasons behind the limited treatment intensification observed and the impact of post-hospitalization optimization on clinical and economic outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41030-021-00173-6.

Short-Term Impact of Iron Deficiency in Different Subsets of Patients with Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension from an Eastern European Pulmonary Hypertension Referral Center

Background

Over the last few decades, interest in the role of iron status in pulmonary hypertension (PH) has grown considerably due to its potential impact on symptoms, exercise capacity (as assessed by the 6-minute walk distance [6MWD]), prognosis, and mortality. The aim of the present study was to identify iron deficiency (ID) prevalence in specific precapillary PH subgroups of Romanian patients and its short-term impact on 6MWD.

Patients and Methods

Complete datasets from 25 precapillary PH adults were examined and included in the analysis. Data were collected at baseline and after continuous follow-up of an average of 13.5 months. Enrolled patients were assigned to group 1 (pulmonary arterial hypertension) or subgroup 4.1 (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension), and individualized targeted therapy was prescribed. General characteristics, World Health Organization functional class, 6MWD, pulse oximetry, laboratory parameters, and echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Ferritin values and transferrin saturation were used to assess ID.

Results

At baseline, 16 out of 25 patients were iron deficient. The univariate linear regression analysis did not show a statistically significant impact of ID on 6MWD (p=0.428). In multivariate regression analysis, possible predictors of 6MWD, including ID, were not statistically significant at baseline or after an average of 13.5 months follow-up (p=0.438, 0.361, respectively) and ID indicates a negative impact on 6MWD independent of applied corrections.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that 1.4.1 subgroup PAH patients have an increased prevalence of ID compared with other etiologies. ID has a negative impact on the functional status (assessed by 6MWD), in specific groups and subgroups of patients with precapillary PH, albeit not independently nor significant to other known predictors such as age, gender, oxygen saturation, and hemoglobin value. These data can be integrated with global research and are consistent with phenotypes of patients diagnosed with PH of different etiologies.

What's new in pulmonary hypertension clinical research: lessons from the best abstracts at the 2020 American Thoracic Society International Conference

In this conference paper, we review the 2020 American Thoracic Society International Conference session titled, "What's New in Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Research: Lessons from the Best Abstracts". This virtual mini-symposium took place on 21 October 2020, in lieu of the annual in-person ATS International Conference which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven clinical research abstracts were selected for presentation in the session, which encompassed five major themes: (1) standardizing diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension, (2) improving risk assessment in pulmonary arterial hypertension, (3) evaluating biomarkers of disease activity, (4) understanding metabolic dysregulation across the spectrum of pulmonary hypertension, and (5) advancing knowledge in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Focusing on these five thematic contexts, we review the current state of knowledge, summarize presented research abstracts, appraise their significance and limitations, and then discuss relevant future directions in pulmonary hypertension clinical research.

Prediction Models and Scores in Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious disease with increased morbidity and mortality. The need for an individualized patient treatment approach necessitates the use of risk assessment in PAH patients. That may include a range of hemodynamic, clinical, imaging and biochemical parameters derived from clinical studies and registry data.

OBJECTIVE

In the current systematic review, we summarize the available data on risk prognostic models and scores in PAH and we explore the possible concordance amongst different risk stratification tools in PAH.

METHODS

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines aided the performance of this systematic review. Eligible studies were identified through a literature search in the electronic databases PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Cochrane with the use of various combinations of MeSH and non-MeSH terms, with a focus on PAH.

RESULTS

Overall, 25 studies were included in the systematic review; out of them, 9 were studies deriving prognostic equations and risk scores and 16 were validating studies of an existing score. The majority of risk stratification scores use hemodynamic data for the assessment of prognosis, while others also include clinical and demographic variables in their equations. The risk discrimination in the overall PAH population was adequate, especially in differentiating the low versus high-risk patients, but their discrimination ability in the intermediate groups remained lower. Current ESC/ERS proposed risk stratification score utilizes a limited number of parameters with prognostic significance, whose prognostic ability has been validated in European patient populations.

CONCLUSION

Despite improvement in risk estimation of prognostic tools of the disease, PAH morbidity and mortality remain high, necessitating the need for the risk scores to undergo periodic re-evaluation and refinements to incorporate new data into predictors of disease progression and mortality and, thereby, maintain their clinical utility.

Comparative effectiveness of oral prostacyclin pathway drugs on hospitalization in patients with pulmonary hypertension in the United States: a retrospective database analysis

Two oral medications targeting the prostacyclin pathway are available to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in the United States: oral treprostinil and selexipag. We compared real-world hospitalization in patients receiving these medications. A retrospective administrative claims study was conducted using the Optum® Clinformatics® Data Mart database. Patients with pulmonary hypertension were identified using diagnostic codes. Cohort inclusion required age ≥ 18 years, first oral treprostinil or selexipag prescription between 1 January 2015 and 30 September 2017 (index date), and continuous enrollment in the prior ≥6 months. Patients who switched index drug were excluded. Follow-up was from index date until the first of end of index drug exposure, end of continuous enrollment, death, or 31 December 2017. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard and Poisson regression were used to compare risk and rate, respectively, of hospitalization associated with oral treprostinil vs. selexipag, adjusting for potential confounders. The study cohort included 99 patients receiving oral treprostinil and 123 receiving selexipag. Mean age was 61 years, and most patients were females (71%). Compared with oral treprostinil, selexipag was associated with a 46% lower risk of all-cause hospitalization (hazard ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.31, 0.92; P = 0.02), a 47% lower risk of pulmonary hypertension-related hospitalization (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.31, 0.93; P = 0.03), a 42% lower all-cause hospitalization rate (rate ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.39, 0.87; P = 0.01), and a 46% lower pulmonary hypertension-related hospitalization rate (rate ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.35, 0.82; P = 0.004). This study suggests that selexipag is associated with lower hospitalization risk and rate than oral treprostinil.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate: A review of pharmacological activity and pharmacokinetics

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivate of tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) which is an active lipophilic constitute of Chinese Materia Medica Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen). STS presents multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis, and has been approved for treatment of cardiovascular diseases by China State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). In this review, we comprehensively summarized the pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of STS, which could support the further application and development of STS. In the recent decades, numerous experimental and clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the potential treatment effects of STS in various diseases, such as heart diseases, brain diseases, pulmonary diseases, cancers, sepsis and so on. The underlying mechanisms were most related to anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of STS via regulating various transcription factors, such as NF-κB, Nrf2, Stat1/3, Smad2/3, Hif-1α and β-catenin. Iron channels, including Ca²⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- channels, were also the important targets of STS. Additionally, we emphasized the differences between STS and Tan IIA despite the interchangeable use of Tan IIA and STS in many previous studies. It is promising to improve the efficacy and reduce side effects of chemotherapeutic drug by the combination use of STS in canner treatment. The application of STS in pregnancy needs to be seriously considered. Moreover, the drug-drug interactions between STS and other drugs needs to be further studied as well as the complications of STS.