Comprehensive exploration of unexplained dyspnoea in subjects with normal ejection fraction and low natriuretic peptides.

Background: Unexplained exertional dyspnoea without significant elevation of natriuretic peptides is common. One of the causes might be early heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Aims: This study aimed to characterize patients with exertional dyspnoea and normal/near-to-normal N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels with regard to early stages of HFpEF and non-cardiac causes.

Role of Exercise Hemodynamics in the Prediction of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in BMPR2 Mutation Carriers.

Background: Exercise hemodynamics are recommended for early detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and have been suggested to be predictive of future development of PAH in high-risk populations such as BMPR2 mutation carriers. However, the optimal exercise hemodynamic screening parameter remains to be determined. Recent data suggest that pulmonary vascular distensibility (α) may serve as a useful parameter for early detection of PAH.

Four- and sixteen-month clinical status of a cohort of patients following hospitalization for COVID-19.

Background And Objectives: Although many symptoms of post-COVID syndrome have been described, a comprehensive evaluation of their prevalence is lacking. We aimed to describe symptoms at 16 months from hospitalization for COVID-19.

Methods: A telephone assessment was performed one year later in a cohort of COVID-19 survivors hospitalized between March and May 2020 and already evaluated four months after discharge.

Risk stratification refinements with inclusion of haemodynamic variables at follow-up in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Haemodynamic variables are prognostic factors in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, right heart catheterisation (RHC) is not systematically recommended to assess the risk status during follow-up. This study aimed to assess the added value of haemodynamic variables in prevalent patients to predict the risk of death or lung transplantation according to their risk status assessed by the non-invasive four-strata model as recommended by the European guidelines.

Characterisation of airway disease associated with Sjögren disease.

Objective: Although airway disease associated with Sjögren's disease (Sjo-AD) is common, it is poorly studied compared with interstitial lung disease (ILD). In this study, we aimed to assess factors associated with Sjo-AD, the characteristics and prognosis of this manifestation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicentric study involving nine centres.

Outcomes and risk assessment in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

Introduction: Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare and severe subtype of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) guidelines advise assessing PAH severity at baseline and during follow-up, no existing risk assessment methods have been validated for PVOD. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors, examine the impact of treatment strategies and evaluate risk assessment methods for PVOD patients.

Improvement in severe asthma patients receiving biologics and factors associated with persistent insufficient control: a real-life national study.

Background: Biological therapies have revolutionized the treatment of severe asthma with type 2 inflammation. Although such treatments are very effective in reducing exacerbation and the dose of oral steroids, little is known about the persistence of symptoms in severe asthma patients treated with biologics.

Purpose: We aim to describe asthma control and healthcare consumption of severe asthma patients treated with biologics.

KCNK3 channel is important for the ventilatory response to hypoxia in rats.

To clarify the contribution of KCNK3/TASK-1 channel chemoreflex in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia, we used a unique Kcnk3-deficient rat. We assessed ventilatory variables using plethysmography in Kcnk3-deficient and wild-type rats at rest in response to hypoxia (10% O) and hypercapnia (4% CO). Immunostaining for C-Fos, a marker of neuronal activity, was performed to identify the regions of the respiratory neuronal network involved in the observed response.

Diagnosis and management of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

Introduction: Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is an orphan disease and uncommon etiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) characterized by substantial small pulmonary vein and capillary involvement.

Areas Covered: PVOD, also known as 'PAH with features of venous/capillary involvement' in the current ESC/ERS classification.

Expert Opinion: In recent years, particular risk factors for PVOD have been recognized, including genetic susceptibilities and environmental factors (such as exposure to occupational organic solvents, chemotherapy, and potentially tobacco).

Radiological pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 and correlation with clinical and functional pulmonary evaluation: results of a prospective cohort.

Objectives: Whether COVID-19 leads to long-term pulmonary sequelae or not remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of persisting radiological pulmonary fibrotic lesions in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective single-center study among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March and May 2020.

Clinical relevance and prognostic value of renal Doppler in acute decompensated precapillary pulmonary hypertension.

Aims: We aim to evaluate the clinical relevance and the prognostic value of arterial and venous renal Doppler in acute decompensated precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods And Results: The renal resistance index (RRI) and the Doppler-derived renal venous stasis index (RVSI) were monitored at admission and on Day 3 in a prospective cohort of precapillary PH patients managed in intensive care unit for acute right heart failure (RHF). The primary composite endpoint included death, circulatory assistance, urgent transplantation, or rehospitalization for acute RHF within 90 days following inclusion.

Functional respiratory complaints among COVID-19 survivors: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Dyspnoea is a common persistent symptom after COVID-19. Whether it is associated with functional respiratory disorders remains unclear.

Methods: We assessed the proportion and characteristics of patients with "functional respiratory complaints" (FRCs) (as defined by Nijmegen Questionnaire >22) among 177 post-COVID-19 individuals who benefited from outclinic evaluation in the COMEBAC study (, symptomatic and/or intensive care unit (ICU) survivors at 4 months).

Serum and Pulmonary Expression Profiles of the Activin Signaling System in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Activins are novel therapeutic targets in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We therefore studied whether key members of the activin pathway could be used as PAH biomarkers.

Methods: Serum levels of activin A, activin B, α-subunit of inhibin A and B proteins, and the antagonists follistatin and follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) were measured in controls and in patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic, heritable, or anorexigen-associated PAH (n=80) at baseline and 3 to 4 months after treatment initiation.

Cytokines as prognostic biomarkers in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Risk stratification and assessment of disease progression in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are challenged by the lack of accurate disease-specific and prognostic biomarkers. To date, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) are the only markers for right ventricular dysfunction used in clinical practice, in association with echocardiographic and invasive haemodynamic variables to predict outcome in patients with PAH.

Methods: This study was designed to identify an easily measurable biomarker panel in the serum of 80 well-phenotyped PAH patients with idiopathic, heritable or drug-induced PAH at baseline and at first follow-up.

Risk stratification in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension at the time of listing for lung transplantation.

Background: It is unknown whether pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) risk stratification instruments could be helpful to support the decision to list a patient for lung transplantation (LT). Our aim was to evaluate contemporary risk assessment tools in a cohort of PAH patients listed for LT.

Methods: Consecutive PAH patients (without pulmonary veno-occlusive disease or unrepaired congenital heart disease) listed for LT at the French Pulmonary Hypertension Reference Center between January 2006 and December 2018 were included.

COVID-19 in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: A National Prospective Cohort Study.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with pulmonary endothelial dysfunction. There are limited data available on the outcomes of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a disease characterized by pulmonary endothelial dysfunction. To describe characteristics and outcomes of patients with precapillary PH and COVID-19.

Pulsatile pulmonary artery pressure in a large animal model of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Similarities and differences with human data.

A striking feature of the human pulmonary circulation is that mean (mPAP) and systolic (sPAP) pulmonary artery pressures (PAPs) are strongly related and, thus, are essentially redundant. According to the empirical formula documented under normotensive and hypertensive conditions (mPAP = 0.61 sPAP + 2 mmHg), sPAP matches ~160%mPAP on average.