Dramatic response of a patient with pregnancy induced idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension to sildenafil treatment

Management of pregnant patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pregnant individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have significantly high risks of maternal and perinatal mortality. Profound changes in plasma volume, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance can all increase the strain being placed on the right ventricle, leading to heart failure and cardiovascular collapse. Given the complex network of opposing physiological changes, strict contraception and reduction of hemodynamic fluctuations during pregnancy are important methods of minimizing the risk of maternal mortality and improving the outcomes following pregnancy. In this review, we discuss the recent research progress into pre-conception management and the various therapeutic strategies for pregnant individuals with PAH.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Pregnancy: A Review

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease, which targets the pulmonary vasculature affecting the heart and the lungs, and is characterized by a vast array of signs and symptoms. These manifestations of PH in pregnancy are highly variable and non-specific hence, it is prudent to have a very keen and high index of suspicion while evaluating these patients. This rare disease can be extremely debilitating and can be associated with a poor overall prognosis. Pregnancy in women with PH puts them at an elevated risk because the physiological changes associated with pregnancy are not well endured leading to even higher morbidity and mortality in these patients. Although there are various modalities for evaluation and workup of PH, right heart catheterization (RHC) remains the gold standard. A mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of more than 20 mm of Hg is considered diagnostic. It is indeed heartening to see that in the past decade many novel therapeutic modalities have emerged and along with a better understanding of the disease process have proved to be promising in terms of reducing the adverse outcomes and preventing death in this population of patients.

Pregnancy in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease: an illustrative case study

Background

Pregnancy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease is associated with a high risk of maternal mortality.

Case presentation

An illustrative case study based on experience gained from management of patients through pregnancy is discussed. A 22-year-old female with a history of a closed patent ductus arteriosus in childhood had been diagnosed with significant pulmonary arterial hypertension at the age of 19. Her clinical condition had improved following the commencement of oral combination therapy with sildenafil 25 mg three times daily and macitentan 10 mg once daily. How should she be counselled regarding the risks of pregnancy and what are the most appropriate forms of contraception? What should the approach be if, despite adequate counselling, she subsequently becomes pregnant? Data to help guide decision-making are reviewed and a clinical approach is suggested.

Conclusions

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension should be advised against pregnancy and be given good contraceptive advice. If a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension becomes pregnant and, after being fully counselled, chooses to proceed with their pregnancy, then they should be managed by an experienced multidisciplinary team.

Statement on pregnancy in pulmonary hypertension from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute

Pregnancy outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension remain poor despite advanced therapies. Although consensus guidelines recommend against pregnancy in pulmonary hypertension, it may nonetheless occasionally occur. This guideline document sought to discuss the state of knowledge of pregnancy effects on pulmonary vascular disease and to define usual practice in avoidance of pregnancy and pregnancy management. This guideline is based on systematic review of peer-reviewed, published literature identified with MEDLINE. The strength of the literature was graded, and when it was inadequate to support high-level recommendations, consensus-based recommendations were formed according to prespecified criteria. There was no literature that met standards for high-level recommendations for pregnancy management in pulmonary hypertension. We drafted 38 consensus-based recommendations on pregnancy avoidance and management. Further, we identified the current state of knowledge on the effects of sex hormones during pregnancy on the pulmonary vasculature and right heart and suggested areas for future study. There is currently limited evidence-based knowledge about both the basic molecular effects of sex hormones and pregnancy on the pulmonary vasculature and the best practices in contraception and pregnancy management in pulmonary hypertension. We have drafted 38 consensus-based recommendations to guide clinicians in these challenging topics, but further research is needed in this area to define best practices and improve patient outcomes.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in pregnant women

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling that limits the ability of the pulmonary vascular bed to withstand the physiological changes of pregnancy. Historically, pregnancy in PAH carries a high risk to the parturient. Normal pulmonary vasculature can withstand the hemodynamic and physiological changes associated with pregnancy without the development of respiratory symptomatology. However, in the presence of pulmonary vascular remodeling the capacity to handle these changes is compromised. During pregnancy, increase in cardiac output from the increased intravascular volume can lead to right heart failure. Therefore, all patients with PAH of childbearing potential should receive preconception counseling and be advised to use two methods of contraception. Patients with PAH should be advised against continuing pregnancy if they do become pregnant. According to the literature, deterioration in pregnancy mainly occurs in the second trimester and early in the third trimester; immediately postpartum is the most critical time for patients with PAH. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances in the management of parturient patients with PAH.