Epoprostenol for Pulmonary Hypertension in Scleroderma
Authors: Elizabeth S. Klings
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2000)

Letters18 July 2000Epoprostenol for Pulmonary Hypertension in SclerodermaElizabeth S. Klings, MD and Harrison W. Farber, MDElizabeth S. Klings, MDBoston University School of Medicine; Boston, MA 02118 (Klings, Farber)Search for more papers by this author and Harrison W. Farber, MDBoston University School of Medicine; Boston, MA 02118 (Klings, Farber)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-133-2-200007180-00016 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:We read with interest Badesch and colleagues' study (1) on intravenous epoprostenol for treatment of pulmonary hypertension related to systemic sclerosis and the accompanying editorial by Dr. Fishman (2). We would like to refer them and your readers to our study, which evaluated short-term and long-term effects of intravenous epoprostenol for treatment of systemic sclerosis–associated pulmonary hypertension (3). Fifteen of our 16 patients had limited systemic sclerosis; none had clinically significant interstitial lung disease.Thirteen of 16 patients (81.3%) had a short-term therapeutic response to epoprostenol (reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance, >25%). The responders have been followed as ...References1. Badesch DB, Tapson VF, McGoon MD, Brundage BH, Rubin LJ, Wigley FM, et al . Continuous intravenous epoprostenol for pulmonary hypertension due to the scleroderma spectrum of disease. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132:425-34. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Fishman AP. Epoprostenol (prostacyclin) and pulmonary hypertension [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132:500-2. LinkGoogle Scholar3. Klings ES, Hill NS, Ieong MH, Simms RW, Korn JH, Farber HW. Systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary hypertension: short- and long-term effects of epoprostenol (prostacyclin). Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42:2638-45. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Klings ES, Ieong MH, Simms RW, Hill NS, Korn JH, Farber HW. Long-term intravenous epoprostenol therapy for pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis [Abstract]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000;161:A459. Google Scholar5. Humbert M, Sanchez O, Fartoukh M, Jagot JL, Sitbon O, Simonneau G. Treatment of severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to connective tissue diseases with continuous IV epoprostenol (prostacyclin). Chest. 1998;114 1 Suppl 80S-82S. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, MA 02118 (Klings, Farber) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoContinuous Intravenous Epoprostenol for Pulmonary Hypertension Due to the Scleroderma Spectrum of Disease David B. Badesch , Victor F. Tapson , Michael D. McGoon , Bruce H. Brundage , Lewis J. Rubin , Fredrick M. Wigley , Stuart Rich , Robyn J. Barst , Pamela S. Barrett , Kenneth M. Kral , Maria M. Jöbsis , James E. Loyd , Srinivas Murali , Adaani Frost , Reda Girgis , Robert C. Bourge , David D. Ralph , C. Gregory Elliott , Nicholas S. Hill , David Langleben , Robert J. Schilz , Vallerie V. McLaughlin , Ivan M. Robbins , Bertron M. Groves , Shelley Shapiro , Thomas A. Medsger Jr. , Sean P. Gaine , Evelyn Horn , James C. Decker , and Katharine Knobil Epoprostenol (Prostacyclin) and Pulmonary Hypertension Alfred P. Fishman Metrics Cited byProstacyclin for pulmonary arterial hypertensionProstanoids for Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionFlolan Infusion Interruption: A Lethal Complication during Venous Access 18 July 2000Volume 133, Issue 2Page: 158KeywordsCatheterizationCathetersDeath ratesExerciseHeartInterstitial lung diseasesOutpatientsPulmonary hypertensionPulmonary vascular resistanceScleroderma Issue Published: 18 July 2000 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2000 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...