Extract

Introduction: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is an important vascular risk marker which can regulate vasoreactivity (VR) in the systemic circulation. Lack of vasodilator responsiveness of pulmonary vasculature and decreased levels of HDL-C have been shown to predict poor outcome in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).

Purpose: To assess the association between HDL-C level and long-term VR of pulmonary vasculature in IPAH patients.

Methods: Between June 2009 and January 2015 we recruited consecutive patients diagnosed with IPAH in a single pulmonary hypertension center. Patients were classified as long-term responders in case of mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) drop >10 mmHg to <40 mmHg during acute VR test and if remained stable on calcium channel blocker therapy for at least 1 year. The following cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were assessed: lipid profile, serum glucose level, presence of diabetes, hypertension and smoking status. The association between level of HDL-C and results of the VR testing were adjusted for CV risk factors and established markers of IPAH severity: World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC), 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) serum level, cardiac index (CI), right atrial pressure (RAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).

You do not currently have access to this article.