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Moccaldi B, De Michieli L, Binda M, Famoso G, Depascale R, Perazzolo Marra M, Doria A, Zanatta E. Serum Biomarkers in Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044178. [PMID: 36835590 PMCID: PMC9967966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening complication of connective tissue diseases (CTDs) characterised by increased pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. CTD-PAH is the result of a complex interplay among endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodelling, autoimmunity and inflammatory changes, ultimately leading to right heart dysfunction and failure. Due to the non-specific nature of the early symptoms and the lack of consensus on screening strategies-except for systemic sclerosis, with a yearly transthoracic echocardiography as recommended-CTD-PAH is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the pulmonary vessels are irreversibly damaged. According to the current guidelines, right heart catheterisation is the gold standard for the diagnosis of PAH; however, this technique is invasive, and may not be available in non-referral centres. Hence, there is a need for non-invasive tools to improve the early diagnosis and disease monitoring of CTD-PAH. Novel serum biomarkers may be an effective solution to this issue, as their detection is non-invasive, has a low cost and is reproducible. Our review aims to describe some of the most promising circulating biomarkers of CTD-PAH, classified according to their role in the pathophysiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Moccaldi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Laura De Michieli
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Binda
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Famoso
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Depascale
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Perazzolo Marra
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Doria
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0498212190
| | - Elisabetta Zanatta
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, 35128 Padova, Italy
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Lerchbaumer MH, Ebner M, Ritter CO, Steimke L, Rogge NIJ, Sentler C, Thielmann A, Hobohm L, Keller K, Lotz J, Hasenfuß G, Wachter R, Hamm B, Konstantinides SV, Aviram G, Lankeit M. Prognostic value of right atrial dilation in patients with pulmonary embolism. ERJ Open Res 2021; 7:00414-2020. [PMID: 34046488 PMCID: PMC8141828 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00414-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Right atrial (RA) dilation and stretch provide prognostic information in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the prevalence, confounding factors and prognostic relevance of RA dilation in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods Overall, 609 PE patients were consecutively included in a prospective single-centre registry between September 2008 and August 2017. Volumetric measurements of heart chambers were performed on routine non-electrocardiographic-gated computed tomography and plasma concentrations of mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) measured on admission. An in-hospital adverse outcome was defined as PE-related death, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation or catecholamine administration. Results Patients with an adverse outcome (11.2%) had larger RA volumes (median 120 (interquartile range 84-152) versus 102 (78-134) mL; p=0.013), RA/left atrial (LA) volume ratios (1.7 (1.2-2.4) versus 1.3 (1.1-1.7); p<0.001) and MR-proANP levels (282 (157-481) versus 129 (64-238) pmol·L-1; p<0.001) compared to patients with a favourable outcome. Overall, 499 patients (81.9%) had a RA/LA volume ratio ≥1.0 and a calculated cut-off value of 1.8 (area under the curve 0.64, 95% CI 0.56-0.71) predicted an adverse outcome, both in unselected (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9-5.2) and normotensive patients (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.6). MR-proANP ≥120 pmol·L-1 was identified as an independent predictor of an adverse outcome, both in unselected (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.3-9.3) and normotensive patients (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.5-17.6). Conclusions RA dilation is a frequent finding in patients with PE. However, the prognostic performance of RA dilation appears inferior compared to established risk stratification markers. MR-proANP predicted an in-hospital adverse outcome, both in unselected and normotensive PE patients, integrating different prognostic relevant information from comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Ebner
- Dept of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Dept of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian O Ritter
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laura Steimke
- Clinic of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nina I J Rogge
- Clinic of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carmen Sentler
- Clinic of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Aaron Thielmann
- Clinic of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Hobohm
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Cardiology I, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Karsten Keller
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Cardiology I, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Joachim Lotz
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerd Hasenfuß
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Clinic of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rolf Wachter
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Clinic of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Clinic and Policlinic for Cardiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Dept of Radiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stavros V Konstantinides
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Dept of Cardiology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Galit Aviram
- Dept of Radiology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mareike Lankeit
- Dept of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Clinic of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Todd N, Lai YC. Current Understanding of Circulating Biomarkers in Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:570016. [PMID: 33117832 PMCID: PMC7575769 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.570016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD; Group 2), especially in the setting of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), is the most frequent cause of PH. Despite its prevalence, no effective therapies for PH-LHD are available at present. This is largely due to the lack of a concise definition for hemodynamic phenotyping, existence of significant gaps in the understanding of the underlying pathology and the impact of associated comorbidities, as well as the absence of specific biomarkers that can aid in the early diagnosis and management of this challenging syndrome. Currently, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) are guideline-recommended biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure (HF) and PH. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D), and microRNA-206 have also been recently identified as new potential circulating biomarkers for patients with PH-LHD. In this review, we aim to present the current state of knowledge of circulating biomarkers that can be used to guide future research toward diagnosis, refine specific patient phenotype, and develop therapeutic approaches for PH-LHD, with a particular focus on PH-HFpEF. Potential circulating biomarkers identified in pre-clinical models of PH-LHD are also summarized here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Todd
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yen-Chun Lai
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Romaniello A, Rubattu S, Gigante A, Simonelli F, Grimaldi MC, D’Angelo A, Alunni D, Sada L, Gasperini ML, Marchitti S, Volpe M, Rosato E. Atrial natriuretic peptide predicts disease progression and digital ulcers development in systemic sclerosis patients. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2019; 20:771-779. [DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000000852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Odler B, Foris V, Gungl A, Müller V, Hassoun PM, Kwapiszewska G, Olschewski H, Kovacs G. Biomarkers for Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling in Systemic Sclerosis: A Pathophysiological Approach. Front Physiol 2018; 9:587. [PMID: 29971007 PMCID: PMC6018494 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are several biomarkers of SSc-PAH, reflecting endothelial physiology, inflammation, immune activation, extracellular matrix, metabolic changes, or cardiac involvement. Biomarkers associated with diagnosis, disease severity and progression have been identified, however, very few have been tested in a prospective setting. Some antinuclear antibodies such as nucleosome antibodies (NUC), anti-centromere antibodies (CENP-A/B) and anti-U3-ribonucleoprotein (anti-U3-RNP) are associated with PAH while anti-U1-ribonucleoprotein (anti-U1-RNP) is associated with a reduced PAH risk. Anti-endothelin receptor and angiotensin-1 receptor antibodies might be good markers of SSc-PAH and progression of pulmonary vasculopathy. Regarding the markers reflecting immune activation and inflammation, there are many inconsistent results. CXCL-4 was associated with SSc progression including PAH and lung fibrosis. Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 was associated with PAH and mortality but is not specific for SSc. Among the metabolites, kynurenine was identified as diagnostic marker for PAH, however, its pathologic role in the disease is unclear. Endostatin, an angiostatic factor, was associated with heart failure and poor prognosis. Established heart related markers, such as N-terminal fragment of A-type natriuretic peptide/brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP, NT-proBNP) or troponin I/T are elevated in SSc-PAH but are not specific for the right ventricle and may be increased to the same extent in left heart disease. Taken together, there is no universal specific biomarker for SSc-PAH, however, there is a pattern of markers that is strongly associated with a risk of vascular complications in SSc patients. Further comprehensive, multicenter and prospective studies are warranted to develop reliable algorithms for detection and prognosis of SSc-PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balazs Odler
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria.,Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Vasile Foris
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria.,Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Anna Gungl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria.,Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Veronika Müller
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Paul M Hassoun
- Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria.,Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Horst Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria.,Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gabor Kovacs
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria.,Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Allanore Y, Komocsi A, Vettori S, Hachulla E, Hunzelmann N, Distler J, Avouac J, Gobeaux C, Launay D, Czirjak L, Kahan A, Meune C. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is a strong predictor of mortality in systemic sclerosis. Int J Cardiol 2016; 223:385-389. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.08.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Sugiura A, Funabashi N, Ozawa K, Kobayashi Y. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased left ventricular mass index related to pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic autoimmune disease without pericardial effusion. Int J Cardiol 2016; 220:268-72. [PMID: 27390939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the relationship of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and LV mass index (LVMI) against pulmonary hypertension (PH) in systemic autoimmune disease (SAD). METHODS A total of 84 SAD patients (68 females; 53±17years; systemic lupus erythematosus, 27%; scleroderma, 17%; vasculitis, 16%; mixed connective tissue disease, 13% and polymyositis/dermatomyositis complex, 10%) without significant pericardial effusion (PE) on TTE (Vivid E9, GE) were analyzed. On TTE, PH was defined as peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) of ≥2.9m/s based upon 2015 ESC guideline. Left atrial volume index (LAVI) and E/E' were measured as indicators of LV diastolic dysfunction. LVMI was also measured. RESULTS Seven patients (8%) had PH. PH patients had greater LAVI (p<0.001), E/E' (p=0.004), LVMI (p=0.009) than non-PH patients. LAVI (R=0.458), E/E' (R=0.337), and LVMI (R=0.313) significantly and positively correlated with TRV (all p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore determinants of TRV. Age, female sex, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were included in all the models. Three multiple regression models were generated using 1) LAVI, 2) E/E', and 3) LVMI and included LAVI, E/E', LVMI, and BNP as significant variables influencing TRV. Multi logistic regression analysis for predicting TRV of ≥2.9m/s showed that LAVI, and E/E' were significant predictors (Odds ratio, 1.296, and 1.370, respectively). CONCLUSION In SAD patients without PE, LV diastolic dysfunction and increment of LVMI was closely associated with PH based upon TRV. LAVI and E/E' were independent predictors for PH. Measuring LAVI and E/E' may be a key to determine the mechanism of PH in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Sugiura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Nobusada Funabashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Koya Ozawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yoshio Kobayashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
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9
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Becker MO, Riemekasten G. Risk factors for severity and manifestations in systemic sclerosis and prediction of disease course. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2015; 12:115-35. [PMID: 26558747 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2016.1115717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, or scleroderma) is a rheumatic disease with distinct features that encompass autoimmunity, vascular lesions (vasculopathy) and tissue fibrosis. The disease has a high morbidity and mortality compared with other rheumatic diseases. This review discusses risk factors and markers that predict the disease course and the occurrence of disease manifestations, with an emphasis on major organ involvement. In addition, risk factors will be described that are associated with mortality in SSc patients. The review addresses the impact of recent developments on screening, diagnosis and risk stratification as well as the need for further research where data are lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike O Becker
- a Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology , University Hospital Charité Berlin , Berlin , Germany
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10
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Sperandeo M, De Cata A, Molinaro F, Trovato FM, Catalano D, Simeone A, Varriale A, Martines GF, Trovato G. Ultrasound signs of pulmonary fibrosis in systemic sclerosis as timely indicators for chest computed tomography. Scand J Rheumatol 2015; 44:389-98. [PMID: 26099251 DOI: 10.3109/03009742.2015.1011228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients in the early stages of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) often have few or no symptoms, normal to borderline pulmonary function tests, and negative chest X-ray (CXR); high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the only reliable means of detecting the early signs of PF. However, thoracic ultrasound (TUS) enables detection of pleural thickening, pleural/subpleural nodules, and other subpleural lung abnormalities across 70% of the subpleural surface. We reassessed concordance between TUS abnormalities and HRCT findings in SSc patients, to see whether TUS pleural line thickness (normally <3.0 mm) could be used to earmark those with asymptomatic PF for timely HRCT assessment. METHOD In total, 175 SSc patients (nine males, 166 females), aged 46.46±15.33 years, were given CXR, TUS, HRCT, echocardiography, and pulmonary function tests. RESULTS In the 26 patients without HRCT signs of PF, pleural line thickness was ≤3.0 mm. In diffuse SSc, 97/137 patients showed pleural line thickening (between 3.0 and 5 mm) and subpleural nodules in 32/97; and 35/137 showed major pleural line thickening (≥5.0 mm) with nodules, with good concordance with HRCT patterns indicating lung fibrosis severity. HRCT was normal in 5/137, with pleural line thickness≤3.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS TUS imaging of pleural/subpleural structures can detect ultrasonographic signs of initial PF prior to the onset of respiratory symptoms and function test abnormalities and, together with current criteria, could thereby enable exclusion of PF in SSc patients. Indicating some patients for selective referral to HRCT can thereby delay unwarranted procedures, provided that pulmonary function and TUS images are stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sperandeo
- a Departments of Internal Medicine and Radiology , IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - A De Cata
- a Departments of Internal Medicine and Radiology , IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - F Molinaro
- a Departments of Internal Medicine and Radiology , IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - F M Trovato
- b Department of Medical and Paediatric Sciences , University of Catania , Italy
| | - D Catalano
- b Department of Medical and Paediatric Sciences , University of Catania , Italy
| | - A Simeone
- a Departments of Internal Medicine and Radiology , IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - A Varriale
- a Departments of Internal Medicine and Radiology , IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza , San Giovanni Rotondo , Italy
| | - G F Martines
- b Department of Medical and Paediatric Sciences , University of Catania , Italy
| | - G Trovato
- b Department of Medical and Paediatric Sciences , University of Catania , Italy
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Abstract
A thorough, often multidisciplinary assessment to determine extrathoracic versus intrathoracic disease activity and degrees of impairment is needed to optimize the management of connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). Pharmacologic intervention with immunosuppression is the mainstay of therapy for all forms of CTD-ILD, but should be reserved for those that show clinically significant and/or progressive disease. The management of CTD-ILD is not yet evidence based and there is a need for controlled trials across the spectrum of CTD-ILD. Nonpharmacologic management strategies and addressing comorbidities or aggravating factors should be included in the comprehensive treatment plan for CTD-ILD.
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