The short-term role of corticosteroid therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases: report of five cases and a literature review

Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Connective Tissue Disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), a syndrome characterized by elevated pulmonary pressures, commonly complicates connective tissue disease (CTD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The incidence of PH varies widely between CTDs; patients with systemic sclerosis are most likely to develop PH. Several different types of PH can present in CTD, including PH related to left heart disease and respiratory disease. Importantly, CTD patients are at risk for developing pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare form of PH that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Future therapies targeting pulmonary vascular remodeling may improve outcomes for patients with this devastating disease.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD-PAH): Recent and advanced data

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), corresponding to group 1 of pulmonary hypertension classification, is a rare disease with a major prognostic impact on morbidity and mortality. PAH can be either primary in idiopathic and heritable forms or secondary to other conditions including connective tissue diseases (CTD-PAH). Within CTD-PAH, the leading cause of PAH is systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Western countries, whereas systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are predominantly associated with PAH in Asia. Although many advances have been made during the last two decades regarding classification, definition early screening and risk stratification and therapeutic aspects with initial combination treatment, the specificities of CTD-PAH are not yet clear. In this manuscript, we review recent literature data regarding the updated definition and classification of PAH, pathogenesis, epidemiology, detection, prognosis and treatment of CTD-PAH.

Thoracic Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: Pathogenesis and Management

Thoracic involvement is one of the main determinants of morbidity and mortality in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), with different prevalence and manifestations according to the underlying disease. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common pulmonary complication, particularly in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Other thoracic manifestations include pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), mostly in patients with SSc, airway disease, mainly in RA, and pleural involvement, which is common in systemic lupus erythematosus and RA, but rare in other ARDs.In this review, we summarize and critically discuss the current knowledge on thoracic involvement in ARDs, with emphasis on disease pathogenesis and management. Immunosuppression is the mainstay of therapy, particularly for ARDs-ILD, but it should be reserved to patients with clinically significant disease or at risk of progressive disease. Therefore, a thorough, multidisciplinary assessment to determine disease activity and degree of impairment is required to optimize patient management. Nevertheless, the management of thoracic involvement-particularly ILD-is challenging due to the heterogeneity of disease pathogenesis, the variety of patterns of interstitial pneumonia and the paucity of randomized controlled clinical trials of pharmacological intervention. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis of these conditions, which in turn is instrumental to the development of more efficacious therapies.

Immunosuppressive therapy in patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

It is currently accepted that inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH). However, the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy remains anecdotal. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with CTD-PAH and to further assess whether response differs between CTD subtypes and clinical features.

METHODS

We systematically searched studies reporting the treatment response of immunosuppressants and biological agents in CTD-PAH from PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Studies had to report treatment regime and response criteria. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

Seven independent cohorts, 1 trial, and 1 case-series encompassing 439 patients with CTD-PAH were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the therapeutic regimen. There were 146 patients in the immunosuppressants group with better heart function at baseline and 52.1% (76/146) of them were responders. There were 236 patients treated with immunosuppressants combined with PAH-specific therapy who showed more severity at baseline and 41.1% (97/236) of them were responders. Among different CTD subtypes, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated PAH (SLE-PAH) showed a better response to immunosuppressants (response rate 48.1%). What is more, 1 randomized controlled trial showed the potential therapeutic value of rituximab (n = 57) in CTD-PAH patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Current studies support the use of immunosuppressive therapy in CTD-PAH, especially in SLE-PAH. Further studies on biological agents and the therapeutic effect of different immunosuppressants are still needed.

Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Connective Tissue Disease

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), a syndrome characterized by elevated pulmonary pressures, commonly complicates connective tissue disease (CTD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The incidence of PH varies widely between CTDs; patients with systemic sclerosis are most likely to develop PH. Several different types of PH can present in CTD, including PH related to left heart disease and respiratory disease. Importantly, CTD patients are at risk for developing pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare form of PH that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Future therapies targeting pulmonary vascular remodeling may improve outcomes for patients with this devastating disease.

Clinical Characteristics and Factors Associated with Disease Progression in Chinese Patients with Connective Tissue Disease and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Objective To clarify the characteristics, survival, and predictors of mortality in Chinese patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD).

Methods This single-cohort study involved 67 CTD-PAH patients who visited Shanghai Renji Hospital between January 2011 and January 2019. Baseline clinical features and hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent factors associated with mPAP improvement.

Results SLE was the major underlying CTD, affecting 70% of PAH patients, whereas systemic sclerosis was less common (6%). Modern PAH drug use was associated with a favorable outcome and mPAP improvement.

Conclusion The majority of the CTD-PAH population in China suffers from SLE in contrast to the CTD-PAH patients in the USA and Europe. Pulmonary vasodilation treatment has improved the mPAP in these patients.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in connective tissue disorders: Pathophysiology and treatment

IMPACT STATEMENT

Our article focuses on the pathogenesis and treatment of CTD-PAH. In the latest ESC/ESR guidelines for PAH, the authors underline that although CTD-PAH should follow the same treatment protocol as idiopathic PAH, the therapeutic approach is more complex and difficult in the former. This review throws light on several peculiar aspects of CTD-PAH and the latest findings in the pathogenesis, namely, the role of inflammation in the maladaptive right ventricle remodeling in SSc-PAH where immunosuppressants are classically believed to be ineffective. Furthermore, we discuss the major critical points in the therapy of CTD-PAH which is one of the strengths of our article. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other reviews that exclusively focus on the pathogenesis and treatment of CTD-PAH patients, with an emphasis on the more critical issues. Thus, it is our contention that our work would be of interest to the readers.

Successful Management of Pregnancy in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a high risk. We successfully managed a pregnancy in a patient with SLE-PAH. A 31-year-old pregnant woman with SLE-PAH had worsening PAH and SLE flare-up during pregnancy and a sudden increase in pulmonary arterial pressure after delivery. SLE-PAH was controlled by continuous intravenous epoprostenol and inhaled nitric oxide therapy combined with high-dose corticosteroids under close hemodynamic monitoring. Women with SLE-PAH should avoid pregnancy. However, in case of a similar event, we recommend our case as a good reference for improving the outcome of pregnancy with SLE-PAH.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases: A review focusing on distinctive clinical aspects

Recent studies have clarified that pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD-PAH) has some distinctive clinical aspects from other PAH, such as high prevalence, venous and cardiac involvement, less favourable outcome, helpfulness of detection algorithm, response to immunosuppression, pre-PAH conditions in borderline pulmonary arterial pressure and coexistence of interstitial lung disease. In this review, by focusing on these distinctive aspects, we discuss how to provide an efficacious and safe management of CTD-PAH and garner attention to areas where further evidence is desired.

Pulse dose steroids in severe pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective:

The pulmonary vascular targeted treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension is similar to other connective tissue disease–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. In addition, there also appears to be a role for immunosuppression in the overall management. However, the optimal immunosuppressive regimen and what patients will respond to treatments are currently not clearly elucidated given the lack of randomized controlled trials on the subject. Our objective is to highlight the importance of early immunosuppression in systemic lupus erythematosus–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension and the role of pulse dose steroids in management.

Methods:

This case describes a 23-year-old woman who presented with pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosed by right heart catheterization with mean pulmonary artery pressure of 74 mmHg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 12 mmHg, and a pulmonary vascular resistance of 1908 dyne s cm⁻⁵. Due to the aggressive nature of her disease, she declined despite management with epoprostenol and sildenafil. Because of coexisting systemic lupus erythematosus with hemolytic anemia and worsening pulmonary arterial hypertension, intensive immunosuppressive therapy with pulse dose steroids was initiated.

Results:

Shortly after initiation of pulse dose steroids and maintenance immunosuppression, she had a dramatic symptomatic and hemodynamic response with a decrease in her pulmonary vascular resistance from 1908 to 136 dyne sec cm⁻⁵ and improvement in her mean pulmonary artery pressure from 74 to 27 mmHg on repeat right heart catheterization.

Conclusion:

Early immunosuppression is important to consider in those with systemic lupus erythematosus–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Limited studies are available, but most have focused on the use of cyclophosphamide. Pulse dose steroids may be a potentially less toxic but equally effective manner to aid in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus–pulmonary arterial hypertension when intensive immunosuppression is being considered.

Treatment of Vasodilator-resistant Mixed Connective Tissue Disease-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension with Glucocorticoid and Cyclophosphamide

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or mixed connective tissue disease (MTCD), in contrast to other types of PAH, may respond to immunosuppressive therapy. Most PAH cases with an immunosuppressant response were in the early stages of the disease (WHO functional class III or less). The present case was a 34-year-old woman with MCTD-associated PAH (WHO functional class IV) who was resistant to a combination of three vasodilators. Afterwards, she was treated with glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide. This case suggested the potential benefit of immunosuppressants in patients with severe MCTD-associated PAH.

Connective tissue disease-related pulmonary arterial hypertension

Over the past two decades, there have been several advances in the assessment and management of connective tissue disease-related pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH) that improved outcomes of the treatment of this lethal disease, and this will be the focus of this study. Systemic sclerosis is the leading cause of CTD-PAH, followed by systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, idiopathic inflammatory myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome. Clinical registries have been invaluable in informing about the burden of disease, risk and prognostic factors, and temporal trends with respect to treatment and outcome in CTD-PAH. The major advances have centered on improved disease classification and diagnostic criteria, screening and early diagnosis, the emergence of evidence-based therapies including combination goal-orientated treatment strategies, and the establishment of centers with expertise in PAH.

Baseline Characteristics and Risk Factors of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) has started a single-center right heart catheterization (RHC)-based pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) study in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) since 2006. The baseline characteristics of these patients were described and the risk factor for PAH in lupus was identified.The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics of SLE patients with PAH when they were registered were collected as the baseline data. A case-control study was conducted by taking the admitted SLE-non-PAH patients adjusted for age and gender in a 4:1 ratio during the same period as the controls. The associated variables were examined by binary multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify possible risk factors. A total of 111 RHC-confirmed SLE-PAH patients were enrolled, with the onset age of 34.6 ± 8.6 years old and the average SLE duration of 5 years. RHC revealed mPAP as 46.4 ± 11.4 mm Hg, CI as 2.7 ± 0.8 L/min × m, and PVR as 10.5 ± 4.8 WU. 46% of patients were WHO Fc I-II. All patients were treated with immunosuppressive agents and 65% patients had PAH-targeted therapy. The case-control study had confirmed 2 independent risk factors previously published: pericardial effusion (OR = 21.290, P < 0.001) and anti-RNP antibody (OR = 12.399, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, 6 independent variables were discovered: baseline SLE duration (OR = 1.118, P = 0.007), interstitial lung disease (OR = 17.027, P < 0.001=, without acute rash (OR = 3.258, P = 0.019), anti-SSA antibody (OR = 4.836, P = 0.004), SLEDAI≤9 (OR = 26.426, P < 0.001), ESR≤20 mm/h (OR = 12.068, P < 0.001), and uric acid > 357 μmol/L (OR = 9.666, P < 0.001) to be associated with PAH in SLE patients.The PUMCH study has shown that SLE patients complicated with PAH are usually earlier diagnosed and have less disease severity than patients without PAH. The immunosuppressive therapy rate and the PAH target therapy rate were high, which is consistent with reports from Western countries. This study has confirmed that pericardial effusion and positive anti-RNP antibody are risk factors for SLE-associated PAH. Long SLE disease duration, the presence of interstitial lung disease, without acute skin rash, positive anti-SSA antibody, low SLEDAI and ESR, and high uric acid levels are also associated with PAH in SLE patients.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus may benefit by addition of immunosuppression to vasodilator therapy: an observational study

OBJECTIVE

To document changes in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) in patients with SLE who have received CYC for any indication.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with SLE pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with a PASP of >30 mmHg by transthoracic echocardiography received i.v. CYC (n = 24) or steroids (n = 24) with or without vasodilators (n = 20). Baseline clinical characteristics and PASP were evaluated before and after therapy at 6 months. Responders were defined as those who had a decrease in PASP of >15 mmHg from baseline along with improvement in their New York Heart Association functional class.

RESULTS

There were 11 responders (45.83%), with a decrease in mean PASP from 59.33 mmHg at baseline to 43.29 mmHg at the end of 6 months (P < 0.0001). The decrease in mean PASP from 39.75 mmHg at baseline to 34.4 mmHg at the end of 6 months was significant in four patients who received immunosuppression alone (P = 0.04). There was no difference in baseline PASP and disease activity between responders and non-responders. Two deaths were noted.

CONCLUSION

Immunosuppression and vasodilators produced significant improvement in SLE PAH over 6 months.

Connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by vascular remodeling of pulmonary arterioles that leads to increased pulmonary vascular resistance, right heart failure, and death. It is associated with connective tissue diseases, including systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and mixed connective tissue disease. PAH is characterized by dyspnea on exertion and fatigue. Syncopal events suggest severe disease. Patients may present with signs of right heart failure. One- and 3-year survival rates are approximately 81% and 52%, respectively. Given the high prevalence and mortality, algorithms for screening are currently under investigation and will hopefully lead to earlier diagnosis and improved survival.

Could pulmonary arterial hypertension be an active index of systemic lupus erythematosus? A successful case of SLE-PAH cured by methylprednisolone pulse therapy

A 35-year-old female patient was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by right heart catheterization (RHC) in the 3rd month of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) duration with high disease activity. Through methylprednisolone pulse therapy, she got total recovery from PAH proven by repeat catheterization and follow-ups. This is the first simultaneously diagnosed, totally recovered, gold standard-proved SLE-PAH case ever reported in the literature. We would like to share this successful case, and at the same time, we want to highlight the relationship between presentation of PAH and active disease manifestations of SLE patients, and to discuss how immune suppressive treatment could benefit this subset of patients.

Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus: prevalence, predictors and diagnostic strategy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and predictors of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to validate a diagnostic strategy.

METHODS

245 patients with SLE entered a screening program. Possible PH was defined as two consecutive systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) values ≥ 40mmHg by echocardiography. The subsequent diagnostic procedure, including right heart catheterization if needed, confirmed or excluded the diagnosis of PH secondary to cardiopulmonary disease or SLE-related pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Independent predictors of PH were identified by multivariant multiple linear or logistic regression models. The sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated for different screening cutoff values.

RESULTS

88% patients were women. The mean (SD) age at the time of enrolment was 45 (16) years. 12 cases of PH were detected, all secondary, with a resulting prevalence of 5%. Two consecutive echocardiographic PAP measurements ≥ 40mmHg performed best as the cutoff point for screening (S 100%, SP 97%, PPV 70, NPV 100), as compared with single PAP measurements ≥ 30mmHg or ≥ 40mmHg The age at the time of enrolment was the only variable independently associated with PAP values (p=0.0001), with the SLICC damage index score showing a borderline association (p=0.08). Only the age at the time of enrolment showed an independent association with PH (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06-1.17).

CONCLUSION

We found a low prevalence of PH. Screening echocardiograms in asymptomatic lupus patients are thus not recommended. Two consecutive PAP values ≥ 40mmHg by echocardiogram is the best screening cutoff for starting investigations in SLE patients with suspected PH.

Pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension and right ventricular failure

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is no longer an orphan disease. There are three different classes of drugs for the treatment of PAH that are currently being used and an increasing number of patients are being treated with a single drug or combination therapy. During the last 25 yrs, new insights into the pathobiology of PAH have been gained. The classical mechanical concepts of pressure, flow, shear stress, right ventricle wall stress and impedance have been complemented with the new concepts of cell injury and repair and interactions of complex multicellular systems. Integrating these concepts will become critical as we design new medical therapies in order to change the prognosis of patients with these fatal diseases. This review intends to summarise recent pathobiological concepts of PAH and right ventricle failure mainly derived from human studies, which reflect the progress made in the understanding of this complex group of pulmonary vascular diseases.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus: current status and future direction

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is commonly associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) including systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The prevalence of PAH in SLE is estimated to be 0.5% to 17.5%. The pathophysiology of PAH involves multiple mechanisms from vasculitis and in-situ thrombosis to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis which increases pulmonary vascular resistance, potentially leading to right heart failure. Immune and inflammatory mechanisms may play a significant role in the pathogenesis or progression of PAH in patients with CTDs, establishing a role for anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies. The leading predictors of PAH in SLE are Raynaud phenomenon, anti-U1RNP antibody, and anticardiolipin antibody positivity. The first-line of diagnostic testing for patients with suspected SLE-associated PAH (SLE-aPAH) involves obtaining a Doppler echocardiogram. Once the diagnosis is confirmed by right heart catheterization, SLE-aPAH patients are generally treated with oxygen, anticoagulants, and vasodilators. Although the prognosis and therapeutic responsiveness of these patients have improved with the addition of intensive immunosuppressive therapies, these treatments are still largely unproven. Recent data put the one-year survival rate for SLE-aPAH patients at 94%. Pregnant women are most at risk of dying due to undiagnosed SLE-aPAH, and screening should be considered essential in this population.