Preliminary experience with bosentan as initial therapy in childhood idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2006 Apr;25(4):469-73. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2005.11.438. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

Abstract

Since September 2001, 7 consecutive patients with childhood idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), a rapidly progressive and fatal condition, have been treated with combinations of bosentan, and other therapies (sildenafil/warfarin/epoprostenol), at our institution. Survival and clinical status in these patients were compared with a group of 12 historic control patients who were diagnosed prior to 1997 and received only conventional medical therapy. Survival in the bosentan-treated subjects was better than among historic controls with comparable disease severity (log rank, p = 0.04). Our findings indicate treatment with bosentan permits a delay in IPAH disease progression and, in combination with other therapies, improves survival compared with historic control patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bosentan
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Sulfonamides
  • Bosentan