Management of prostacyclin side effects in adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Therapies that target the prostacyclin pathway are considered effective, yet are complex to dose and may cause dose-limiting side effects for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Careful side effect management and the ability to discern side effects from worsening disease are essential in order for patients to continue, and benefit from, prostacyclin therapy. This manuscript was developed through a collaborative effort of allied health providers with extensive experience in managing patients with PAH who are treated with medications that target the prostacyclin pathway.

Micrococcus-associated central venous catheter infection in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Study Objectives: To determine the incidence of catheter-related infection in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) receiving epoprostenol (EPO), and to note an etiologic role for Micrococcus spp, which is rarely reported as a pathogen in the medical literature.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Two PAH specialty treatment centers, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (Torrance, CA), and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University (New York, NY).