The Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in pulmonary hypertension: A systematic review.

Background: The objective of this systematic review is to provide an overview of research that examined the relationship between pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

Methods: To identify the studies related to NLR, a search was done on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science with an end date of  March 30th, 2023. A total of 25 studies were included in the review.

10-year success story in CTEPH treatment: breaking the myth of rareness.

Unlike acute pulmonary embolism (PE), the resolution of thrombi is ineffective in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), leading to reorganisation and fibrotic changes within the pulmonary arteries. The authors report the case of a man in his 60s with polycythemia vera, under warfarin, following an acute PE. He was admitted a year later with right heart failure and haemodynamic instability.

Transitioning intravenous epoprostenol to oral selexipag in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: a case report.

Intravenous (i.v.) prostacyclin is the cornerstone treatment in high-risk pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients.

European Society of Cardiology quality indicators for the care and outcomes of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Developed in collaboration with the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

Aims: To develop a suite of quality indicators (QIs) for the evaluation of the care and outcomes for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods And Results: We followed the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) methodology for the development of QIs. This included (i) the identification of key domains of care for the management of PAH, (ii) the proposal of candidate QIs following systematic review of the literature, and (iii) the selection of a set of QIs using a modified Delphi method.

Physical activity and its clinical correlates in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Limited data are available on physical activity (PhA) levels in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients, as well as on the clinical utility of PhA measurements using questionnaires and accelerometers. We aimed to study PhA levels of CTEPH patients and their clinical correlates, and to compare PhA levels measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) with measures from accelerometers. This is a cross-sectional study ( = 50).

External validation of different clinical and echocardiographic scores to distinguish post- from precapillary pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Even though right heart catheterization (RHC) is the gold-standard method to characterise Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), it cannot be performed in all the patients with suspected PH. Clinical and echocardiographic scores have been developed to differentiate PH secondary to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF) from pre-capillary PH. We aimed to compare the performance of non-invasive parameters in a population with suspected PH.

The Registry Data Warehouse in the European Reference Network for Rare Respiratory Diseases - Background, Conception and Implementation.

Rare lung diseases affect 1.5-3 million people in Europe while causing bad prognosis or early deaths for patients. The European Reference Network for Respiratory Diseases (ERN-Lung) is a patient centric network, funded by the European Union (EU).

PH CARE COVID survey: an international patient survey on the care for pulmonary hypertension patients during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the health care systems suspended their non-urgent activities. This included the cancellation of consultations for patients with rare diseases, such as severe pulmonary hypertension (PH), resulting in potential medication shortage and loss of follow-up. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate PH patient health status evolution, access to health care and mental health experience during the early phase of the pandemic.

Standardized exercise training is feasible, safe, and effective in pulmonary arterial and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: results from a large European multicentre randomized controlled trial.

Aims: This prospective, randomized, controlled, multicentre study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of exercise training in patients with pulmonary arterial (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

Methods And Results: For the first time a specialized PAH/CTEPH rehabilitation programme was implemented in 11 centres across 10 European countries. Out of 129 enrolled patients, 116 patients (58 vs.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension registries: past, present and into the future.

http://bit.ly/2OBpapG

Disability and its clinical correlates in pulmonary hypertension measured through the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0: a prospective, observational study.

Objective: To characterise the degree of disability in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients based on the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0).

ERS statement on exercise training and rehabilitation in patients with severe chronic pulmonary hypertension.

Objectives of this European Respiratory Society task force were to summarise current studies, to develop strategies for future research and to increase availability and awareness of exercise training for pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients.An evidence-based approach with clinical expertise of the task force members, based on both literature search and face-to-face meetings was conducted. The statement summarises current knowledge and open questions regarding clinical effects of exercise training in PH, training modalities, implementation strategies and pathophysiological mechanisms.

Long-term survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Insights from a referral center in Portugal.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the long-term survival of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients followed in a Portuguese pulmonary hypertension (PH) referral center.

Methods: We studied PAH and CTEPH patients diagnosed between January 2005 and December 2016. Cumulative survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Pulmonary Hypertension and Its Clinical Correlates: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment is common in pulmonary hypertension (PH), but its clinical predictors are not well established. This study aims to characterize the HRQoL of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other precapillary forms of PH (pcPH) and to explore its clinical correlates.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study of patients with documented PAH and other forms of pcPH.

MicroRNA-424(322) as a new marker of disease progression in pulmonary arterial hypertension and its role in right ventricular hypertrophy by targeting SMURF1.

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a multifactorial and progressive condition associated with an increased afterload of the right ventricle leading to heart failure and death. The main aim of this study was to correlate the levels of miR-424(322) with the severity and prognosis of PH and with right ventricle hypertrophy progression. Additionally, we intended to evaluate the mechanisms and signalling pathways whereby miR-424(322) secreted by pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) impacts cardiomyocytes.

Portuguese validation of the Cambridge pulmonary hypertension outcome review (CAMPHOR) questionnaire.

Background: Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other forms of precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) have impaired quality of life (QoL). The Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) is a PH-specific patient-reported outcome measure that assesses symptoms, activity limitations and QoL. It was originally developed in UK-English.

Pulmonary hypertension in Portugal: first data from a nationwide registry.

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease that must be managed in specialized centers; therefore, the availability of epidemiological national data is critical.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, and multicenter registry with a joint collaboration from five centers from Portugal and included adult incident patients with PAH or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

Results: Of the 79 patients enrolled in this study, 46 (58.

Adiponectin levels are elevated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: In addition to insulin-sensitizing effects, adiponectin influences several mechanisms involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathobiology. Insulin resistance has been associated with PAH, and elevated adiponectin levels have been described in left heart failure (HF) as a response to the increased metabolic stress. No studies have been performed in right HF or PAH patients.

Venous thromboembolism risk factors and practices of prophylaxis: ENDORSE study results in Portugal.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment is a cornerstone for the achievement of best practices and outcomes. Epidemiologic data and practices related to venous thromboprophylaxis as considered by the global ENDORSE study, (Epidemiologic International Day for the Evaluation of Patients at Risk for Venous Thromboembolism in the Acute Hospital Care Setting), enrolled 68,183 patients from 32 countries, in which Portugal. Within ENDORSE, data from all participant countries analyzed to determine their risk of VTE and to evaluate the suitability of prophylaxis.

[Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism: the place of new oral anticoagulants].

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still an important problem of Public Health, due to its impact in terms of morbidity, mortality, resource allocation and associated costs. In the prevention and treatment of VTE, pharmacological therapy is well defined and efficacious but has some inconveniences that leave space for improvement. Several new oral anticoagulants are being developed and tested for the prevention and treatment of VTE.

Posterior fixation of the upper cervical spine: contemporary techniques.

Instrumentation in the upper cervical spine has changed considerably in the past two decades. Previous stand-alone wiring techniques have been made largely obsolete with the development of occipital segmental plating, transarticular screws, and C1 lateral mass screws, as well as a myriad of C2 fixation options, including pedicle, pars, and translaminar screws. Polyaxial screws and segmental fixation are more user-friendly than stand-alone wiring and provide a stronger construct.