Almitrine mimics hypoxic vasoconstriction in isolated rat lungs.

The effect of almitrine bimesylate or the solvent malic acid on pulmonary vascular perfusion pressure was assessed in isolated rat lungs and on the contractile behavior of rat aorta and main pulmonary artery rings. Addition of almitrine to the lung perfusate during normoxia caused a dose-dependent, transient increase in pulmonary artery pressure with no change of the lung microvascular pressure. In systemic or pulmonary conduit arteries, the contractile tension was unaffected by almitrine.

Survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension related to long-term oxygen therapy.

Long-term oxygen therapy has proven increased survival rates of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease and remains the only treatment so far to prolong life in these patients. No study has related hemodynamic measurements, lung function data, and age at beginning of long-term oxygen treatment to prognosis in these patients. In a retrospective study, we analyzed these parameters for 76 survivors and 51 deceased, starting supplemental oxygen therapy in 1981 and thereafter, concerning significant differences using the Proportional Hazards General Linear Model Procedure.