Riociguat is the treatment of choice for inoperable patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We addressed here whether additional balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) provides further benefits. A prospective series of 36 consecutive patients with inoperable CTEPH were treated with riociguat at least three months before BPA. All patients underwent diagnostic workup at baseline, before BPA treatments, and six months after final intervention. The main outcome measures were pulmonary hemodynamic parameters and World Health Organization (WHO) functional class (FC). Significant improvements in pulmonary hemodynamics and physical capacity were observed for riociguat treatment, and subsequent BPA interventions yielded further benefits. With targeted medication, WHO FC improved by at least one class in 13 (36.1%) patients (P = 0.01). Hemodynamic assessment showed significant improvements in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) (49 ± 12 mmHg vs. 43 ± 12 mmHg; P = 0.003) and PVR (956 ± 501 dyn·s·cm–5 vs. 517 ± 279 dyn·s·cm–5; P = 0.0001). Treatment with a combination of targeted medication and BPA resulted in WHO FC improvement in 34 (94.4%) patients. Hemodynamic assessment showed significant improvement in mPAP (43 ± 12 mmHg vs. 34 ± 14 mmHg; P = 0.0001) and PVR (517 ± 279 dyn·s·cm–5 vs. 360 ± 175 dyn·s·cm–5; P = 0.0001). These findings provide, for the first time, support for the therapeutic strategy recommended by current guidelines.

Root remodeling allows for stable valve preservation in patients with AADA and preexistent root dilatation.

No abstract

The aim of our study was to analyse the protein expression of cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 (CILP1) in a mouse model of right ventricular (RV) pressure overload and to evaluate CILP1 as a biomarker of cardiac remodelling and maladaptive RV function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).Pulmonary artery banding was performed in 14 mice; another 9 mice underwent sham surgery. CILP1 protein expression was analysed in all hearts by western blotting and immunostaining. CILP1 serum concentrations were measured in 161 patients (97 with adaptive and maladaptive RV pressure overload caused by PH; 25 with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy; 20 with dilative cardiomyopathy (DCM); 19 controls without LV or RV abnormalities)In mice, the amount of RV CILP1 was markedly higher after banding than after sham. Control patients had lower CILP1 serum levels than all other groups (p<0.001). CILP1 concentrations were higher in PH patients with maladaptive RV function than those with adaptive RV function (p<0.001), LV pressure overload (p<0.001), and DCM (p=0.003). CILP1 showed good predictive power for maladaptive RV in ROC analysis (AUC 0.79). There was no significant difference between the AUCs of CILP1 and NT-pro-BNP (AUC 0.82). High CILP1 (≥cut-off value for maladaptive RV of 4373 pg·mL−1) was associated with lower TAPSE/PASP ratios (p<0.001) and higher NT-pro-BNP levels (p<0.001).CILP1 is a novel biomarker of RV and LV pathological remodelling that is associated with RV maladaptation and ventriculoarterial uncoupling in patients with PH.

No abstract

In ADHF patients, Ang-2 is significantly increased compared to healthy controls, shows a relationship in the presence of oedema and is a predictor of poor outcome.

• BPA is a promising treatment option for patients with inoperable CTEPH • Native septal T1 values significantly decrease after BPA and show good correlations with right ventricular function and haemodynamics before BPA • Prognosis and non-invasive therapy monitoring might be supported in the future by native T1 mapping.

No abstract