Long-term bosentan treatment of complex congenital heart disease and Eisenmenger's syndrome

Rev Esp Cardiol. 2009 Sep;62(9):1046-9. doi: 10.1016/s1885-5857(09)73271-2.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

The BREATHE-5 study demonstrated that bosentan, an oral endothelin receptor antagonist, provides clinical benefits in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome. As a result, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) approved its use for this indication. However, follow-up in that study was limited to 16 weeks and patients with complex congenital heart disease were excluded. We assessed the effect of long-term bosentan treatment in 10 patients with complex congenital heart disease and Eisenmenger's syndrome. In the mean clinical follow-up period of 25 months, all patients reached the target dose without developing side effects and without experiencing a change in arterial oxygen consumption at either rest or maximal exercise. Moreover, there were significant changes in clinical parameters: NYHA functional class improved from 3.3+/-0.7 to 2.5+/-0.9 (P=.002) and the 6-minute walk distance increased from 266+/-161 m to 347+/-133 m (P=.015).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bosentan
  • Eisenmenger Complex / complications*
  • Eisenmenger Complex / drug therapy*
  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists*
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / complications
  • Heart Diseases / congenital*
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
  • Sulfonamides
  • Bosentan