Initial combination therapy with macitentan and tadalafil in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, with and without cardiac comorbidities.

Aims: According to current guidelines, initial monotherapy should be considered for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidities. This analysis of combined data from the TRITON and REPAIR clinical trials, assesses efficacy and safety of initial double combination therapy in patients without vs. with 1-2 cardiac comorbidities.

Notch ratio in pulmonary flow predicts long-term survival after pulmonary endarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Assessment of the pattern of the RV outflow tract Doppler provides insights into the hemodynamics of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We studied whether pre-operative assessment of timing of the pulmonary flow systolic notch by Doppler echocardiography is associated with long-term survival after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) for CTEPH.

Methods: Fifty-nine out of 61 consecutive CETPH patients (mean age 53 ± 14 years, 34% male) whom underwent PEA between June 2002 and June 2005 were studied.

Right Atrial Adaptation to Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension: Pressure-Volume, Cardiomyocyte, and Histological Analysis.

Background: Precapillary pulmonary hypertension (precPH) patients have altered right atrial (RA) function and right ventricular (RV) diastolic stiffness.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate RA function using pressure-volume (PV) loops, isolated cardiomyocyte, and histological analyses.

Methods: RA PV loops were constructed in control subjects (n = 9) and precPH patients (n = 27) using magnetic resonance and catheterization data.

Real-world characteristics and outcomes of patients with intermediate high risk acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Exact benefits of currently recommended close monitoring in intermediate high risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients are unknown.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study determined clinical characteristics, and disease course of intermediate high risk acute PE patients in an academic hospital setting . Frequency of hemodynamic deterioration, use of rescue reperfusion therapy and PE related mortality, were outcomes of interest.