Long-term therapy of interferon-alpha induced pulmonary arterial hypertension with different PDE-5 inhibitors: a case report

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Zeitschriftentitel:	Cardiovascular Ultrasound
Personen und Körperschaften:	Jochmann, Nicoline, Kiecker, Felix, Borges, Adrian C, Hofmann, Maja A, Eddicks, Stephan, Sterry, Wolfram, Baumann, Gert, Trefzer, Uwe
In:	Cardiovascular Ultrasound, 3, 2005, 1
Format:	E-Article
Sprache:	Englisch
veröffentlicht:	Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Schlagwörter:	Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging General Medicine

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Zusammenfassung:	<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>background</jats:title> <jats:p>Interferon alpha2 is widely used in hepatitis and high-risk melanoma. Interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension as a side effect is rare.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Case presentation</jats:title> <jats:p>We describe a melanoma patient who developed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension 30 months after initiation of adjuvant interferon alpha2b therapy. Discontinuation of interferon did not improve pulmonary arterial hypertension. This patient could be treated successfully with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>This is only the 5th case of interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension and the first documented case where pulmonary arterial hypertension was not reversible after termination of interferon alpha2 therapy. If interferon alpha2 treated patients develop respiratory symptoms, pulmonary arterial hypertension should be considered in the differential diagnosis. For these patients phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil or vardenafil, could be an effective therapeutic approach.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
ISSN:	1476-7120
DOI:	10.1186/1476-7120-3-26