Isolated Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension Associates with Higher Cardiovascular Risk in Scleroderma Patients

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease: Association with exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension and right ventricle adaptation over time

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) is a progressive condition caused by fibrotic thrombi and vascular remodeling in the pulmonary circulation despite prolonged anticoagulation. We evaluated clinical factors associated with CTEPD, as well as its impact on functional capacity, pulmonary haemodynamics at rest and after exercise, and right ventricle (RV) morphology and function.

METHODS

We compared 33 consecutive patients with a history of acute pulmonary embolism and either normal pulmonary vascular imaging (negative Q-scan, group 1, n = 16) or persistent defects on lung perfusion scan (positive Q-scan) despite oral anticoagulation at 4 months (group 2, n = 17). Investigations included thrombotic load, the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) score, functional class, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and echocardiographic parameters at rest and after exercise (ESE), at 4 and at 24 months.

RESULTS

Compared with group 1, group 2 featured a higher PESI score (p = 0.02) and a higher thrombotic load (p = 0.004) at hospital admission. At 4 months, group 2 developed exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (Ex-PH) at CPET (p < 0.001) and ESE (p < 0.001). At 24 months group 2 showed higher NT-proBNP (p < 0.001), WHO-FC (p < 0.001), systolic (p<0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.037) RV dysfunction and worse RV-arterial coupling (p < 0.001) despite maintaining a low or intermediate echocardiographic probability of PH.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first "proof of concept" study showing that patients with a positive Q-scan frequently develop Ex-PH and RV functional deterioration as well as reduced functional capacity, generating the hypothesis that Ex-PH could help detect the progression to CTEPD.

Impact of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension on Right Ventricular Function and on Worsening of Cardiovascular Risk in HIV Patients

Background and Aim: Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (ExPH) predicts clinical outcomes, such as all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) hospitalizations, in patients with dyspnea on effort. We investigated its prognostic significance in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-affected patients. Methods: In 52 consecutive HIV patients with either low (n = 47) or intermediate probability (n = 5) of PH at rest, we evaluated—at time 0 and after 2 years—the prognostic determinants of CV risk, according to the 2015 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Guidelines. Patients were classified with or without ExPH at stress echocardiography (ESE) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). We then related ExPH at time 0 with clinical worsening (CV risk score increase >20% after 2 years). Results: Right ventricle (RV) systolic function was significantly reduced in patients with ExPH compared to those without ExPH at CPET. This also occurred in patients with intermediate/high probability compared to those with low probability of ExPH at ESE. The former exhibited worse values of TAPSE and FAC (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). A significantly higher proportion of patients with ExPH (CPET) or with intermediate/high probability of ExPH (ESE) had higher sPAP (p < 0.001), mPAP (p = 0.004) and higher TRV (p = 0.006), as well as higher right atrial area (p < 0.001) and indexed right atrial volume (p = 0.004). Total pulmonary vascular resistance (expressed by the ratio between TRV and the velocity-time integral at the level of the right ventricular outflow tract) was higher both in patients with ExPH and in those with intermediate/high probability of ExPH (p < 0.001). Patients with intermediate/high probability of ExPH at ESE showed a trend (p = 0.137) towards clinical worsening compared to those with low probability of ExPH. No patients with low probability of ExPH had a >20% increased CV risk score after 2 years. We found an association between higher NT-proBNP and the presence or intermediate/high probability of ExPH after 2 years (p = 0.048 at CPET, p = 0.033 at ESE). Conclusions: The assessment of ExPH may predict a trend of increasing CV risk score over time. If confirmed at a longer follow-up, ExPH could contribute to better risk stratification in HIV patients.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Genetic and Comorbid Settings: A Step Forward for Precision Medicine

The editorial refers to the Special Issue "Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Old Drugs and New Treatment Strategies" [...].

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension Is Associated with High Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with HIV

Background and Aim: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) at rest can be preceded by the onset of exercise-induced PH (ExPH). We investigated its association with the cardiovascular (CV) risk score in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods: In 46 consecutive patients with HIV with low (n = 43) or intermediate (n = 3) probability of resting PH, we evaluated the CV risk score based on prognostic determinants of CV risk. Diagnosis of ExPH was made by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and exercise stress echocardiogram (ESE). Results: Twenty-eight % (n = 13) of the enrolled patients had ExPH at both CPET and ESE, with good agreement between the two methods (Cohen’s kappa = 0.678). ExPH correlated directly with a higher CV score (p < 0.001). Patients with a higher CV score also had lower CD4+ T-cell counts (p = 0.001), a faster progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (p < 0.001), a poor immunological response to antiretroviral therapy (p = 0.035), higher pulmonary vascular resistance (p = 0.003) and a higher right atrial area (p = 0.006). Conclusions: Isolated ExPH is associated with a high CV risk score in patients with HIV. Assessment of ExPH may better stratify CV risk in patients with HIV.

Role of Protein Arginine Methyltransferases and Inflammation in Muscle Pathophysiology

Arginine methylation mediated by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) is a post-translational modification of both histone and non-histone substrates related to diverse biological processes. PRMTs appear to be critical regulators in skeletal muscle physiology, including regeneration, metabolic homeostasis, and plasticity. Chronic inflammation is commonly associated with the decline of skeletal muscle mass and strength related to aging or chronic diseases, defined as sarcopenia. In turn, declined skeletal muscle mass and strength can exacerbate chronic inflammation. Thus, understanding the molecular regulatory pathway underlying the crosstalk between skeletal muscle function and inflammation might be essential for the intervention of muscle pathophysiology. In this review, we will address the current knowledge on the role of PRMTs in skeletal muscle physiology and pathophysiology with a specific emphasis on its relationship with inflammation.

Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension in HIV patients: Association with poor clinical and immunological status

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (Ex-PH) may represent the earliest sign of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. We investigated its association with clinical and immunological status, virologic control, and response to antiviral therapy.

METHODS

In 32 consecutive HIV patients with either low (n = 29) or intermediate probability (n = 3) of PH at rest, we evaluated the association of isolated ExPH with: time to HIV diagnosis; CD4+ T-cell count; clinical progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); development of resistance to antiretroviral therapy (ART); HIV RNA levels; time to beginning of ART; current use of protease inhibitors; combination of ART with boosters (ritonavir or cobicistat); immuno-virologic response to ART; and ART discontinuation. Isolated ExPH at stress echocardiography (ESE) was defined as absence of PH at rest and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) >45 mmHg or a >20 mmHg increase during low-intensity exercise cardiac output (<10 L/min).

RESULTS

In our cohort, 22% (n = 7) of the enrolled population developed ExPH which was inversely related to CD4+ T-cell count (p = 0.047), time to HIV diagnosis (p = 0.014) and time to onset of ART (p = 0.041). Patients with ExPH had a worse functional class than patients without ExPH (p < 0.001). ExPH and AIDS showed a trend (p = 0.093) to a direct relationship. AIDS patients had a higher pulmonary vascular resistance compared to patients without ExPH (p = 0.020) at rest echocardiography.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of isolated ExPH associates with a worse clinical status and poor immunological control in HIV patients. Assessment of ExPH by ESE may help identify subgroups of HIV patients with a propensity to develop subclinical impairment of pulmonary circulation following poor control of HIV infection.

Exploring the mechanisms of action of gliflozines in heart failure and possible implications in pulmonary hypertension

Although results from two major trials trials have shown a clear benefit of gliflozines in the management of heart failure (HF) irrespective of diabetes status, the mechanism of cardiac benefits remains incompletely understood. Gliflozines have an osmotic diuretic effect that differs from that of other diuretic classes, resulting in greater electrolyte-free water clearance, and clinical studies have shown that intravascular volume depletion is rare and occurs at similar frequency in the gliflozines and placebo groups. As a consequence of the negligible effects on the blood volume and body's fluid balance compared to diuretics, gliflozines may limit the reflex neurohumoral stimulation and activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Since neurohormonal and RAAS activation in patients with HF reduced or ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF) also leads to systemic and pulmonary arterial stiffening, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and PH-related right ventricular failure, gliflozines may lead to a mitigation of systemic and pulmonary arterial stiffening, which in turn can reduce the degree of PH associated with HFrEF or HFpEF, can improve the ventricular arterial coupling and can reduce the overload of the left and right ventricle, improving their function. The current review discusses the latest findings regarding the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on heart failure with focus also on pulmonary hypertension, discussing the molecular mechanisms involved.