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Patient with functional class II IPAH

Adapted from information provided by physicians at PH centers

Julia H

  35-year-old female with 3 children
  Raising children and performing daily activities with no limitation
  Chief complaint: exertional dyspnea



History

  Hypothyroidism
  No smoking, alcohol abuse, recreational drug use, or use of anorexigens
  1 month earlier, preop CXR revealed enlarged pulmonary arteries

Symptoms

  2-year history of exertional dyspnea
  Symptomatic when climbing stairs or walking on incline

Medication

  L-thyroxine 75 μg po QD



Physical examination

  BP: 112/78 mm Hg
  SpO2: 95% on room air
  No JVD
  Breath sounds clear
  Normal 1st heart sound, but louder 2nd heart sound; no audible murmurs
  No peripheral edema



Laboratory findings

Additional studies

  Results within normal limits:
—  LFTs
—  Blood counts
—  Thyroid function tests
—  Chemistry
  HIV negative
  ANA normal
  PFTs
—  Mild restrictive defect
—  DLCO: 50% of predicted
—  ABG: pH 7.42 / 31 / SpO2 94%
  6MWD
—  389 meters
  HRCT: No ILD or PE



Echocardiogram findings

  Marked RV and atrial enlargement
  Displaced intraventricular septum
  Normal LV size and function
  Estimated PASP 75 mm Hg
  Negative saline contrast study



Other conditions ruled out based on diagnostic results

  Interstitial lung disease
  Pulmonary embolism

Reasons to investigate PAH*

  Enlarged pulmonary arteries
  Isolated low DLCO
  Louder second heart sound
  History of exertional dyspnea
  Hypothyroidism



Right heart catheterization findings

Hemodynamics Results Normal ranges1-3 Abnormal
PAP (mm Hg):
Mean
Peak systolic
End diastolic
 
68
105
47
 
8-20
15-30
4-12
 


mRAP (mm Hg)
12
1-5
mPCWP (mm Hg)
10
4-12
CO (L/min) [Fick]
4.2
4-8
CI:
(L/min/m2) [Fick]
 
2.2
 
2.8-4.2
 
PVR:
Wood units
dyn•sec/cm5
 
13.8
1104
 
0.3-1.6
20-130
 

PVR = 80 × (mPAP – mPCWP)/CO.4 PVR provides a measure of the vascular resistance in the lungs and is an important prognostic indicator in PAH*.5

  Vasoreactivity negative
—  Vasoreactivity testing will help discern whether a patient is responsive to treatment with CCBs. It will also offer prognostic information in positive responders. However, most patients with IPAH and PAH* will not respond positively to vasoreactivity testing.5



Diagnosis: Idiopathic PAH, functional class II


Recommendation: Start Tracleer first


6MWD six-minute walk distance; ABG arterial blood gas; ANA antinuclear antibodies; BP blood pressure; CI cardiac index; CO cardiac output; CXR chest x-ray; DLCO diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide; HRCT high-resolution computed tomography; HIV human immunodeficiency virus; ILD interstitial lung disease; IPAH idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension; JVD jugular vein distension; LFT liver function test; LV left ventricle; mPAP mean pulmonary arterial pressure; mPCWP mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure; PASP pulmonary arterial systolic pressure; PE pulmonary embolism; PFT pulmonary function test; PH pulmonary hypertension; PVR pulmonary vascular resistance; QD once daily; RAP right atrial pressure; RV right ventricle; SpO2 oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry; VSD ventricular septal defect.

*INDICATION
Tracleer is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to improve exercise ability and to decrease clinical worsening. Studies establishing effectiveness included predominantly patients with NYHA Functional Class II-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (60%), PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (21%), and PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts (18%).

Considerations for use
Patients with WHO class II symptoms showed reduction in the rate of clinical deterioration and a trend for improvement in walk distance. Physicians should consider whether these benefits are sufficient to offset the risk of liver injury in WHO class II patients, which may preclude future use as their disease progresses.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Because of the risks of liver injury and birth defects, Tracleer may be prescribed and dispensed only through the Tracleer Access Program (T.A.P.), a restricted distribution program, by calling 1-866-228-3546. Only prescribers and pharmacies registered with T.A.P. may prescribe and distribute Tracleer. Tracleer may be dispensed only to patients who are enrolled in and meet all conditions of T.A.P.

Liver injury
Elevations of liver aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and liver failure have been reported with Tracleer. In a setting of close monitoring, rare cases of liver failure and unexplained hepatic cirrhosis were observed after prolonged treatment. In general, avoid using Tracleer in patients with elevated aminotransferases
(>3 × ULN). Measure liver aminotransferases prior to initiation of treatment and then monthly. Discontinue Tracleer if aminotransferase elevations are accompanied by signs or symptoms of liver dysfunction or injury or increases in bilirubin ≥2 × ULN.

Teratogenicity
Based on animal data, Tracleer is likely to cause major birth defects if used during pregnancy. Exclude pregnancy before and during treatment. To prevent pregnancy, females of childbearing potential must use 2 reliable forms of contraception during treatment and for 1 month after stopping Tracleer unless the patient has a tubal sterilization or Copper T 380A IUD or LNg 20-IUS inserted, in which case no other contraception is needed. Monthly pregnancy tests should be obtained.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Tracleer is contraindicated with cyclosporine A, glyburide, in females who are or may become pregnant, or in patients who are hypersensitive to bosentan or any component of Tracleer.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
In clinical trials, Tracleer caused ALT/AST elevations (>3 × ULN) in 11% of patients accompanied by elevated bilirubin in a few cases. The combination of hepatocellular injury (increases in aminotransferases of >3 × ULN) and increases in total bilirubin (≥3 × ULN) is a marker for potential serious liver injury. Liver aminotransferase levels must be measured prior to initiation of treatment and then monthly. Avoid using Tracleer in patients with moderate or severe liver impairment or elevated ALT/AST >3 × ULN.
If clinically significant fluid retention develops, with or without associated weight gain, the cause, such as Tracleer or underlying heart failure, must be determined. Patients may require treatment or Tracleer therapy may need to be discontinued.
Preclinical data and an open-label safety study (N=25) showed a decline in sperm count of ≥50% in 25% of Tracleer-treated patients after 3 or 6 months. After 6 months, sperm count remained in normal range, with no changes in sperm morphology or motility, or hormone levels. Endothelin receptor antagonists such as Tracleer may adversely affect spermatogenesis.
Treatment with Tracleer can cause a dose-related decrease in hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit. Hgb should be checked after 1 and 3 months, and then every 3 months. Upon marked decrease in Hgb, determine the cause and need for specific treatment.
If signs of pulmonary edema occur, the possibility of associated pulmonary veno-occlusive disease should be considered. Tracleer should be discontinued.

ADVERSE EVENTS
In Tracleer pivotal trials, the most common adverse events occurring more often in Tracleer-treated patients than in patients taking placebo (≥2%) were respiratory tract infection, edema, hypotension, sinusitis, arthralgia, liver function test abnormal, palpitations, and anemia.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING about liver injury and pregnancy.


  1. Badesch DB, Champion HC, Sanchez MA, et al. Diagnosis and assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009;54(suppl S):S55-S66.
  2. Davidson CJ, Bonow RO. Cardiac catheterization. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DE. Braunwald's Heart Disease. 2 vols. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:439-463.
  3. Cardiovascular Tests and Procedures: Cardiac Catheterization. Merck Manual Professional website. http://www.merck.com/ mmpe/sec07/ch070/ch070b.html. Accessed February 2, 2010.
  4. Galiè N, Rubin LJ, Hoeper MM, et al. Treatment of patients with mildly symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension with bosentan (EARLY study): a double blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2008;371:2093-2100.
  5. McLaughlin VV, Archer SL, Badesch DB, et al. ACCF/AHA 2009 expert consensus document on pulmonary hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009;53:1573-1619.
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