Validation of a claims-based algorithm to identify patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension using electronic health record data.

This study aimed to validate an algorithm developed to identify chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) among patients with a history of pulmonary embolism. Validation was halted because too few patients had gold-standard evidence of CTEPH in the administrative claims/electronic health records database, suggesting that CTEPH is underdiagnosed.

Sildenafil dosed concomitantly with bosentan for adult pulmonary arterial hypertension in a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Few controlled clinical trials exist to support oral combination therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods: Patients with PAH (idiopathic [IPAH] or associated with connective tissue disease [APAH-CTD]) taking bosentan (62.5 or 125 mg twice daily at a stable dose for ≥3 months) were randomized (1:1) to sildenafil (20 mg, 3 times daily; n = 50) or placebo (n = 53).

Healthcare burden of pulmonary hypertension owing to lung disease and/or hypoxia.

Background: Group 3 pulmonary hypertension (PH) encompasses PH owing to lung diseases and/or hypoxia. Treatment patterns, healthcare resource use, and economic burden to US payers of Group 3 PH patients were assessed.

Methods: This retrospective observational study extracted data from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013 from two Truven Health Analytics MarketScan databases.

Monitoring for Pulmonary Hypertension Following Pulmonary Embolism: The INFORM Study.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension may develop after a pulmonary embolism event. A ventilation-perfusion scan is recommended as a first-line modality for suspected chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. In this study, we determined the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension following incident pulmonary embolism and the disease-monitoring patterns in this population.

Endothelin antagonism and uric acid levels in pulmonary arterial hypertension: clinical associations.

Background: Elevated serum uric acid is detected in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and is associated with poor patient outcomes. High serum uric acid is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and renal impairment. We analyzed the effects of endothelin receptor antagonism on serum uric acid in PAH patients participating in the Sitaxentan to Relieve Impaired Exercise (STRIDE)-2/2X trial, and the impact of uric acid on 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), time to clinical worsening (TtCW) and survival.

Use of Sildenafil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Findings from a U.S. Healthcare Claims Database.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain and syncope. As there is no known cure for PAH, the goal of treatment is to control symptoms and slow disease progression. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, has been indicated to improve exercise capacity in PAH in both the United States and the European Union since 2005; since 2009, it also has been indicated in the United States to delay clinical worsening.

Changes in healthcare utilization and costs associated with sildenafil therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Little is known concerning the degree to which initiation of sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) impacts patterns of healthcare utilization and costs.

Methods: Using a large US health insurance claims database, we identified all patients with evidence of PAH (ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes 416.0, 416.

Safety and efficacy of sitaxsentan 50 and 100 mg in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective: To assess safety and efficacy of sitaxsentan 50 and 100 mg in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Background: Sitaxsentan is a highly selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist that was recently withdrawn by the manufacturer because of a pattern of idiosyncratic liver injury.

Methods: Before sitaxsentan withdrawal, this 18-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomized patients with PAH to receive placebo or sitaxsentan 50 or 100 mg once daily.