The effects of bolus isosorbide dinitrate on pulmonary hypertension with cardiopulmonary comorbidities.

Abstract

Lowering mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) without reducing cardiac output is essential in treating pulmonary hypertension (PH). Isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) potentially achieves this in post-capillary PH but can decrease cardiac output and blood pressure (BP), especially in pre-capillary PH. However, post-capillary PH and pre-capillary PH can overlap, and their clear discrimination is difficult. The aim of the study was to examine to what extent bolus ISDN injection reduces mPAP and BP, and changes mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂), an indicator of cardiac output in PH with various cardiopulmonary comorbidities in the context of treatment modifications. We retrospectively examined the hemodynamic effects of bolus ISDN injection in patients with PH who underwent right heart catheterization and their subsequent treatment modification. Our sample comprised 13 PH patients. In seven with pre-capillary PH, ISDN significantly lowered mPAP from the median 34 (interquartile range 32-39) to 28 (28-30) mmHg and the mean BP (mBP) from 90 (79-92) to 72 (68-87) mmHg. In six with post-capillary PH, ISDN lowered mPAP from 40 (29-44) to 27 (23-31) mmHg and mBP from 91 (87-110) to 87 (82-104) mmHg. There was a significant decrease in SvO₂ from 69.8% (64.9%-78.1%) to 63.9% (60.5%-71.5%) in pre-capillary PH, but not in post-capillary PH including combined post- and pre-capillary PH and some patients showed a large increase in SvO₂. In all patients showing an SvO₂ increase, diuretics or hemodialysis were up-titrated or continued. Bolus ISDN injection lowered mPAP. However, in pre-capillary PH, it caused a significant decrease in SvO₂ and a notable reduction in blood pressure. In post-capillary PH, including combined post- and pre-capillary PH, it clarified whether systemic preload and afterload reduction increased or decreased SvO₂ in each patient, which may aid in treatment modification.