Roham Zamanian

All Publications

• Discovery of Distinct Immune Phenotypes Using Machine Learning in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension CIRCULATION RESEARCH Sweatt, A. J., Hedlin, H. K., Balasubramanian, V., Hsi, A., Blum, L. K., Robinson, W. H., Haddad, F., Hickey, P. M., Condliffe, R., Lawrie, A., Nicolls, M. R., Rabinovitch, M., Khatri, P., Zamanian, R. T. 2019; 124 (6): 904–19

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313911

  View details for Web of Science ID 000469341600015

• Discovery of Distinct Immune Phenotypes Using Machine Learning in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Circulation research Sweatt, A. J., Hedlin, H. K., Balasubramanian, V., Hsi, A., Blum, L. K., Robinson, W. H., Haddad, F., Hickey, P. M., Condliffe, R. A., Lawrie, A., Nicolls, M. R., Rabinovitch, M., Khatri, P., Zamanian, R. T. 2019

  Abstract

  Accumulating evidence implicates inflammation in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and therapies targeting immunity are under investigation, though it remains unknown if distinct immune phenotypes exist.Identify PAH immune phenotypes based on unsupervised analysis of blood proteomic profiles.In a prospective observational study of Group 1 PAH patients evaluated at Stanford University (discovery cohort, n=281) and University of Sheffield (validation cohort, n=104) between 2008-2014, we measured a circulating proteomic panel of 48 cytokines, chemokines, and factors using multiplex immunoassay. Unsupervised machine learning (consensus clustering) was applied in both cohorts independently to classify patients into proteomic immune clusters, without guidance from clinical features. To identify central proteins in each cluster, we performed partial correlation network analysis. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were subsequently compared across clusters. Four PAH clusters with distinct proteomic immune profiles were identified in the discovery cohort. Cluster 2 (n=109) had low cytokine levels similar to controls. Other clusters had unique sets of upregulated proteins central to immune networks- cluster 1 (n=58)(TRAIL, CCL5, CCL7, CCL4, MIF), cluster 3 (n=77)(IL-12, IL-17, IL-10, IL-7, VEGF), and cluster 4 (n=37)(IL-8, IL-4, PDGF-β, IL-6, CCL11). Demographics, PAH etiologies, comorbidities, and medications were similar across clusters. Non-invasive and hemodynamic surrogates of clinical risk identified cluster 1 as high-risk and cluster 3 as low-risk groups. Five-year transplant-free survival rates were unfavorable for cluster 1 (47.6%, CI 35.4-64.1%) and favorable for cluster 3 (82.4%, CI 72.0-94.3%)(across-cluster p<0.001). Findings were replicated in the validation cohort, where machine learning classified four immune clusters with comparable proteomic, clinical, and prognostic features.Blood cytokine profiles distinguish PAH immune phenotypes with differing clinical risk that are independent of World Health Organization Group 1 subtypes. These phenotypes could inform mechanistic studies of disease pathobiology and provide a framework to examine patient responses to emerging therapies targeting immunity.

  View details for PubMedID 30661465

• Clinical trial design and new therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The European respiratory journal Sitbon, O., Gomberg-Maitland, M., Granton, J., Lewis, M. I., Mathai, S. C., Rainisio, M., Stockbridge, N. L., Wilkins, M. R., Zamanian, R. T., Rubin, L. J. 2018

  Abstract

  Until 20 years ago the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was based on case reports and small series, and was largely ineffectual. As a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PAH evolved over the subsequent two decades, coupled with epidemiological studies defining the clinical and demographic characteristics of the condition, a renewed interest in treatment development emerged through collaborations between international experts, industry and regulatory agencies. These efforts led to the performance of robust, high-quality clinical trials of novel therapies that targeted putative pathogenic pathways, leading to the approval of more than 10 novel therapies that have beneficially impacted both the quality and duration of life. However, our understanding of PAH remains incomplete and there is no cure. Accordingly, efforts are now focused on identifying novel pathogenic pathways that may be targeted, and applying more rigorous clinical trial designs to better define the efficacy of these new potential treatments and their role in the management scheme. This article, prepared by a Task Force comprised of expert clinicians, trialists and regulators, summarises the current state of the art, and provides insight into the opportunities and challenges for identifying and assessing the efficacy and safety of new treatments for this challenging condition.

  View details for PubMedID 30545975

• Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 is a Mechanistic Biomarker of Portopulmonary Hypertension. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine Nikolic, I., Yung, L., Yang, P., Malhotra, R., Paskin-Flerlage, S. D., Dinter, T., Bocobo, G. A., Tumelty, K. E., Faugno, A. J., Troncone, L., McNeil, M. E., Huang, X., Coser, K. R., Lai, C. S., Upton, P. D., Goumans, M. J., Zamanian, R. T., Elliott, C. G., Lee, A., Zheng, W., Berasi, S. P., Huard, C., Morrell, N. W., Chung, R. T., Channick, R. W., Roberts, K. E., Yu, P. B. 2018

  Abstract

  RATIONALE: Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 (BMP9) is a circulating endothelial quiescence factor with protective effects in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Loss-of-function mutations in BMP9, its receptors and downstream effectors have been reported in heritable PAH.OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine how an acquired deficiency of BMP9 signaling might contribute to PAH.METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma levels of BMP9 and antagonist soluble Endoglin (sEng) were measured in Group 1 PAH, Group 2 and 3 pulmonary hypertension (PH), and in patients with severe liver disease without PAH. BMP9 levels were markedly lower in portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) vs. healthy controls, or other etiologies of PAH or PH, distinguished PoPH from patients with liver disease without PAH, and was an independent predictor of transplant-free survival. BMP9 levels were decreased in mice with PH associated with CCl4-induced portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis, but were normal in other rodent models of PH. Administration of BMP9 ligand trap ALK1-Fc exacerbated PH and pulmonary vascular remodeling in mice treated with hypoxia vs. hypoxia alone.CONCLUSIONS: BMP9 is a sensitive and specific biomarker of PoPH, predicting transplant-free survival and the presence of PAH in liver disease. In rodent models, acquired deficiency of BMP9 signaling can predispose to or exacerbate PH, providing a possible mechanistic link between PoPH and heritable PAH. These findings describe a novel experimental model of severe PH that provides insight into the synergy between pulmonary vascular injury and diminished BMP9 signaling in the pathogenesis of PAH.

  View details for PubMedID 30312106

• Psychometric Validation of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension- Symptoms and Impact (PAH-SYMPACT) Questionnaire Results of the SYMPHONY Trial CHEST Chin, K. M., Gomberg-Maitland, M., Channick, R. N., Cuttica, M. J., Fischer, A., Frantz, R. P., Hunsche, E., Kleinman, L., McConnell, J. W., McLaughlin, V. V., Miller, C. E., Zamanian, R. T., Zastrow, M. S., Badesch, D. B. 2018; 154 (4): 848–61

  Abstract

  Disease-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments are important in assessing the impact of disease and treatment. The Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Symptoms and Impact Questionnaire is the first instrument for quantifying pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) symptoms and impacts developed according to the 2009 US Food and Drug Administration PRO guidance; previous qualitative research in patients with PAH supported its initial content validity.Content finalization and psychometric validation were conducted by using data from A Study of Macitentan in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension to Validate the PAH-SYMPACT (SYMPHONY), a single-arm, 16-week trial with macitentan 10 mg in US patients with PAH. Item performance, Rasch analysis, and factor analyses were used to select the final item content of the PRO and to define its domain structure. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, known-group and construct validity, sensitivity to change, and influence of oxygen on item performance were evaluated.Data from 278 patients (79% female; mean age: 60 years) were analyzed. Following removal of redundant/misfitting items, the final questionnaire has 11 symptom items across two domains (cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular symptoms) and 11 impact items across two domains (physical and cognitive/emotional impacts). Differential item function analysis confirmed that PRO scoring is unaffected by oxygen use. For all four domains, internal consistency reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha > 0.80), and scores were highly reproducible in stable patients (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.84-0.94). Correlations with the Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review questionnaire and the 36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Survey were moderate to high ([r] = 0.34-0.80). The questionnaire differentiated well between patients with varying disease severity levels and was sensitive to improvements in clinician- and patient-reported disease severity.The Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Symptoms and Impact Questionnaire is a brief, disease-specific PRO instrument possessing good psychometric properties that can be administered in clinical practice and clinical studies.ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01841762; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

  View details for PubMedID 29705220

• Challenges in Pulmonary Hypertension: Controversies in Treating the Tip of the Iceberg A Joint National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and Pulmonary Hypertension Association Symposium Report AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Elinoff, J. M., Agarwal, R., Barnett, C. F., Benza, R. L., Cuttica, M. J., Gharib, A. M., Gray, M. P., Hassoun, P. M., Hemnes, A. R., Humbert, M., Kolb, T. M., Lahm, T., Leopold, J. A., Mathai, S. C., McLaughlin, V. V., Preston, I. R., Rosenzweig, E. B., Shlobin, O. A., Steen, V. D., Zamanian, R. T., Solomon, M. A. 2018; 198 (2): 166–74

  View details for PubMedID 29425462

• The Role of Neutrophils and Neutrophil Elastase in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Frontiers in medicine Taylor, S., Dirir, O., Zamanian, R. T., Rabinovitch, M., Thompson, A. A. 2018; 5: 217

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe vasculopathy characterized by the presence of fibrotic lesions in the arterial wall and the loss of small distal pulmonary arteries. The vasculopathy is accompanied by perivascular inflammation and increased protease levels, with neutrophil elastase notably implicated in aberrant vascular remodeling. However, the source of elevated elastase levels in PAH remains unclear. A major source of neutrophil elastase is the neutrophil, an understudied cell population in PAH. The principal function of neutrophils is to destroy invading pathogens by means of phagocytosis and NET formation, but proteases, chemokines, and cytokines implicated in PAH can be released by and/or prime and activate neutrophils. This review focuses on the contribution of inflammation to the development and progression of the disease, highlighting studies implicating neutrophils, neutrophil elastase, and other neutrophil proteases in PAH. The roles of cytokines, chemokines, and neutrophil elastase in the disease are discussed and we describe new insight into the role neutrophils potentially play in the pathogenesis of PAH.

  View details for PubMedID 30131961

• Randomised placebo-controlled safety and tolerability trial of FK506 (tacrolimus) for pulmonary arterial hypertension EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL Spiekerkoetter, E., Sung, Y. K., Sudheendra, D., Scott, V., Del Rosario, P., Bill, M., Haddad, F., Long-Boyle, J., Hedlin, H., Zamanian, R. T. 2017; 50 (3)

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterised by occlusive pulmonary vasculopathy. Activation of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) signalling by FK506 (tacrolimus) reverses occlusive vasculopathy in rodent PAH models. Here, we determined the safety and tolerability of low-level FK506 therapy in stable PAH patients.We performed a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 16-week, single-centre, phase IIa trial in PAH patients with New York Heart Association functional class II/III symptoms using three FK506 target levels (<2, 2-3 and 3-5 ng·mL-1). 23 patients were randomised and 20 patients completed the trial.FK506 was generally well tolerated, with nausea/diarrhoea being the most commonly reported adverse event and no observation of line infections in patients on intravenous prostacyclin therapy. PAH patients had significantly lower BMPR2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells versus healthy controls (n=13; p=0.005), which improved after FK506 treatment. While we observed that some patients responded with a pronounced increase in BMPR2 expression as well as improvement in 6-min walk distance, and serological and echocardiographic parameters of heart failure, these changes were not significant.Low-level FK506 is well tolerated and increases BMPR2 in subsets of PAH patients. These results support the study of FK506 in a phase IIb efficacy trial.

  View details for PubMedID 28893866

• antagonism ameliorates experimental lymphedema. Science translational medicine Tian, W., Rockson, S. G., Jiang, X., Kim, J., Begaye, A., Shuffle, E. M., Tu, A. B., Cribb, M., Nepiyushchikh, Z., Feroze, A. H., Zamanian, R. T., Dhillon, G. S., Voelkel, N. F., Peters-Golden, M., Kitajewski, J., Dixon, J. B., Nicolls, M. R. 2017; 9 (389)

  Abstract

  Acquired lymphedema is a cancer sequela and a global health problem currently lacking pharmacologic therapy. We have previously demonstrated that ketoprofen, an anti-inflammatory agent with dual 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitory properties, effectively reverses histopathology in experimental lymphedema. We show that the therapeutic benefit of ketoprofen is specifically attributable to its inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolite leukotriene B4 (LTB4). LTB4 antagonism reversed edema, improved lymphatic function, and restored lymphatic architecture in the murine tail model of lymphedema. In vitro, LTB4 was functionally bimodal: Lower LTB4 concentrations promoted human lymphatic endothelial cell sprouting and growth, but higher concentrations inhibited lymphangiogenesis and induced apoptosis. During lymphedema progression, lymphatic fluid LTB4 concentrations rose from initial prolymphangiogenic concentrations into an antilymphangiogenic range. LTB4 biosynthesis was similarly elevated in lymphedema patients. Low concentrations of LTB4 stimulated, whereas high concentrations of LTB4 inhibited, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 and Notch pathways in cultured human lymphatic endothelial cells. Lymphatic-specific Notch1(-/-) mice were refractory to the beneficial effects of LTB4 antagonism, suggesting that LTB4 suppression of Notch signaling is an important mechanism in disease maintenance. In summary, we found that LTB4 was harmful to lymphatic repair at the concentrations observed in established disease. Our findings suggest that LTB4 is a promising drug target for the treatment of acquired lymphedema.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.aal3920

  View details for PubMedID 28490670

• Leukotriene B-4 antagonism ameliorates experimental lymphedema SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE Tian, W., Rockson, S. G., Jiang, X., Kim, J., Begaye, A., Shuffle, E. M., Tu, A. B., Cribb, M., Nepiyushchikh, Z., Feroze, A. H., Zamanian, R. T., Dhillon, G. S., Voelkel, N. F., Peters-Golden, M., Kitajewski, J., Dixon, J. B., Nicolls, M. R. 2017; 9 (389)

  View details for DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.aal3920

  View details for Web of Science ID 000400897600004

• REDUCED CARBOXYLESTERASE 1 IS ASSOCIATED WITH ENDOTHELIAL INJURY IN METHAMPHETAMINE INDUCED PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION. American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology Orcholski, M. E., Khurshudyan, A., Shamskhou, E. A., Yuan, K., Chen, I. Y., Kodani, S. D., Morisseau, C., Hammock, B. D., Hong, E. M., Alexandrova, L., Alastalo, T., Berry, G., Zamanian, R. T., de Jesus Perez, V. A. 2017: ajplung 00453 2016-?

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a complication of methamphetamine use (METH-PAH) but the pathogenic mechanisms are unknown. Given that cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) are involved in metabolism of METH and other amphetamine-like compounds, we postulated that loss of function variants could contribute to METH-PAH. While no difference in CYP2D6 expression was seen by lung immunofluorescence, CES1 expression was significantly reduced in endothelium of METH-PAH microvessels. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that healthy pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) have the capacity to both internalize and metabolize METH. Furthermore, whole exome sequencing data from 18 METH-PAH patients revealed that 94.4% of METH-PAH patients were heterozygous carriers of a single nucleotide variant (SNV, rs115629050) predicted to reduce CES1 activity. PMVECs transfected with this CES1 variant demonstrated significantly higher rates of METH-induced apoptosis. METH exposure results in increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a compensatory autophagy response. Compared to healthy cells, CES1-deficient PMVECs lack a robust autophagy response despite higher ROS, which correlates with increased apoptosis. We propose that reduced CES1 expression/activity could promote development of METH-PAH by increasing PMVEC apoptosis and small vessel loss.

  View details for DOI 10.1152/ajplung.00453.2016

  View details for PubMedID 28473326

• Features and Outcomes of Methamphetamine Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine Zamanian, R. T., Hedlin, H., Greuenwald, P., Wilson, D. M., Segal, J. I., Jorden, M., Kudelko, K., Liu, J., Hsi, A., Rupp, A., Sweatt, A. J., Tuder, R., Berry, G. J., Rabinovitch, M., Doyle, R. L., De Jesus Perez, V., Kawut, S. M. 2017

  Abstract

  While amphetamines are recognized as "likely" agents to cause drugs and toxins associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), (meth)amphetamine associated PAH (Meth-APAH) has not been well described.To prospectively characterize the clinical presentation, histopathology, and outcomes of Meth-APAH compared to those of idiopathic PAH (iPAH).We performed a prospective cohort study of Meth-APAH and iPAH patients presenting to the Stanford University Pulmonary Hypertension Program between 2003-2015. Clinical, pulmonary angiography, histopathology, and outcomes data were compared. We used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to estimate the epidemiology of PAH in (meth)amphetamine abusers hospitalized in California.The study sample included 90 Meth-APAH and 97 iPAH patients. Meth-APAH patients were less likely to be female, but similar in age, body mass index, and six minute walk distance to iPAH patients. Meth-PAH patients reported more advanced heart failure symptoms, had significantly higher right atrial pressure (12.7±6.8 vs. 9.8±5.1 mmHg, p=0.001), and lower stroke volume index (22.2±7.1 vs 25.5±8.7 mL/m2, p=0.01). Event-free survival in Meth-APAH was 64.2%, 47.2%, and 25% at 2.5, 5, and 10 years respectively, representing more than double the risk of clinical worsening or death compared to iPAH (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.28-3.25, p=0.003) independent of confounders. California data demonstrated a 2.6 fold increase in risk of PAH diagnosis in hospitalized (meth)amphetamine users.Meth-APAH is a severe and progressive form of PAH with poor outcomes. Future studies should focus on mechanisms of disease and potential therapeutic considerations.

  View details for PubMedID 28934596

• Utility of B-type natriuretic peptides in the assessment of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary hypertension in the PHAROS registry. Clinical and experimental rheumatology Chung, L., Fairchild, R. M., Furst, D. E., Li, S., Alkassab, F., Bolster, M. B., Csuka, M. E., Derk, C. T., Domsic, R. T., Fischer, A., Frech, T., Gomberg-Maitland, M., Gordon, J. K., Hinchcliff, M., Hsu, V., Hummers, L. K., Khanna, D., Medsger, T. A., Molitor, J. A., Preston, I. R., Schiopu, E., Shapiro, L., Hant, F., Silver, R., Simms, R., Varga, J., Steen, V. D., Zamanian, R. T. 2016: -?

  Abstract

  To assess the utility of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) in detecting and monitoring pulmonary hypertension (PH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc).PHAROS is a multicenter prospective cohort of SSc patients at high risk for developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-AR-PAH) or with a definitive diagnosis of SSc-PH. We evaluated 1) the sensitivity and specificity of BNP≥64 and NT-proBNP≥210 pg/mL for the detection of SSc-PAH and/ or SSc-PH in the SSc-AR-PAH population; 2) baseline and longitudinal BNP and NT-proBNP levels as predictors of progression to SSc-PAH and/or SSc-PH; 3) baseline BNP≥180, NT-proBNP≥553 pg/mL, and longitudinal changes in BNP and NT-proBNP as predictors of mortality in SSc-PH diagnosed patients.172 SSc-PH and 157 SSc-AR- PAH patients had natriuretic peptide levels available. Median BNP and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in the SSc-PH versus SSc-AR-PAH group. The sensitivity and specificity for SSc-PAH detection using baseline BNP≥64 pg/mL was 71% and 59%; and for NT-proBNP≥210 pg/mL, 73% and 78%. NT-proBNP showed stronger correlations with haemodynamic indicators of right ventricular dysfunction than BNP. Baseline creatinine, RVSP > 40 mmHg, and FVC%:DLco% ratio ≥1.8 were associated with progression from SSc-AR-PAH to SSc-PH but no association with individual or combined baseline BNP and NT-proBNP levels was observed. Baseline and follow-up BNP or NT-proBNP levels were not predictive of death, however, a composite BNP/NT-proBNP group predicted mortality (HR 3.81 (2.08-6.99), p<.0001).NT-proBNP may be more useful than BNP in the detection and monitoring of PAH in SSc patients, but additional studies are necessary.

  View details for PubMedID 27908301

• An observational study of inhaled-treprostinil respiratory-related safety in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary circulation Zamanian, R. T., Levine, D. J., Bourge, R. C., De Souza, S. A., Rosenzweig, E. B., Alnuaimat, H., Burger, C., Mathai, S. C., Leedom, N., DeAngelis, K., Lim, A., De Marco, T. 2016; 6 (3): 329-337

  Abstract

  Inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso) has been shown to be a safe and effective addition to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) oral therapies; however, the respiratory-related safety profile of inhaled treprostinil required further elucidation in the setting of routine clinical care. The objectives of this study were to characterize respiratory-related adverse events (AEs) associated with current or recent treatment with inhaled treprostinil and to compare the incidence of respiratory-related AEs in PAH patients treated with inhaled treprostinil with that in patients treated with other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved PAH therapies. This was a long-term, prospective, observational study. All respiratory-related AEs were recorded during the study. The number of PAH patients enrolled was 1,333, 666 treated with inhaled treprostinil and 667 controls (treated with an FDA-approved PAH therapy other than inhaled treprostinil), for a total of 958 and 1,094 patient-years of exposure, respectively. In the inhaled-treprostinil group, 1,281 respiratory-related AEs were reported in 403 patients (61%), and in the control group, 1,295 respiratory-related AEs were reported in 388 patients (58%). Cough, throat irritation, nasal discomfort, and hemoptysis were the most common respiratory-related AEs (occurring in ≥2% of patients in either treatment group) that demonstrated a higher number of events per patient-year of exposure in the inhaled-treprostinil group than in the control group (risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.487 [1.172-1.887], 3.777 [2.050-6.956], 2.039 [1.072-3.879], and 1.957 [1.024-3.741], respectively). Overall, inhaled treprostinil was well tolerated by PAH patients in routine clinical care, with respiratory-related AEs consistent with the known safety profile (trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01266265).

  View details for DOI 10.1086/688059

  View details for PubMedID 27683610

• Association of Borderline Pulmonary Hypertension With Mortality and Hospitalization in a Large Patient Cohort: Insights From the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program CIRCULATION Maron, B. A., Hess, E., Maddox, T. M., Opotowsky, A. R., Tedford, R. J., Lahm, T., Joynt, K. E., Kass, D. J., Stephens, T., Stanislawski, M. A., Swenson, E. R., Goldstein, R. H., Leopold, J. A., Zamanian, R. T., Elwing, J. M., Plomondon, M. E., Grunwald, G. K., Baron, A. E., Rumsfeld, J. S., Choudhary, G. 2016; 133 (13): 1240-1248

  Abstract

  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased morbidity across the cardiopulmonary disease spectrum. Based primarily on expert consensus opinion, PH is defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mm Hg. Although mPAP levels below this threshold are common among populations at risk for PH, the relevance of mPAP <25 mm Hg to clinical outcome is unknown.We analyzed retrospectively all US veterans undergoing right heart catheterization (2007-2012) in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system (n=21 727; 908-day median follow-up). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between mPAP and outcomes of all-cause mortality and hospitalization, adjusted for clinical covariates. When treating mPAP as a continuous variable, the mortality hazard increased beginning at 19 mm Hg (hazard ratio [HR]=1.183; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004-1.393) relative to 10 mm Hg. Therefore, patients were stratified into 3 groups: (1) referent (≤18 mm Hg; n=4 207); (2) borderline PH (19-24 mm Hg; n=5 030); and (3) PH (≥25 mm Hg; n=12 490). The adjusted mortality hazard was increased for borderline PH (HR=1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.36; P<0.0001) and PH (HR=2.16; 95% CI, 1.96-2.38; P<0.0001) compared with the referent group. The adjusted hazard for hospitalization was also increased in borderline PH (HR=1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12; P=0.0149) and PH (HR=1.15; 95% CI, 1.09-1.22; P<0.0001). The borderline PH cohort remained at increased risk for mortality after excluding the following high-risk subgroups: (1) patients with pulmonary artery wedge pressure >15 mm Hg; (2) pulmonary vascular resistance ≥3.0 Wood units; or (3) inpatient status at the time of right heart catheterization.These data illustrate a continuum of risk according to mPAP level and that borderline PH is associated with increased mortality and hospitalization. Future investigations are needed to test the generalizability of our findings to other populations and study the effect of treatment on outcome in borderline PH.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.020207

  View details for PubMedID 26873944

• Leukotriene B-4 Activates Pulmonary Artery Adventitial Fibroblasts in Pulmonary Hypertension HYPERTENSION Qian, J., Tian, W., Jiang, X., Tamosiuniene, R., Sung, Y. K., Shuffle, E. M., Tu, A. B., Valenzuela, A., Jiang, S., Zamanian, R. T., Fiorentino, D. F., Voelkel, N. F., Peters-Golden, M., Stenmark, K. R., Chung, L., Rabinovitch, M., Nicolls, M. R. 2015; 66 (6): 1227-1239

  Abstract

  A recent study demonstrated a significant role for leukotriene B4 (LTB4) causing pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension. LTB4 was found to directly injure luminal endothelial cells and promote growth of the smooth muscle cell layer of pulmonary arterioles. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of LTB4 on the pulmonary adventitial layer, largely composed of fibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate that LTB4 enhanced human pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblast proliferation, migration, and differentiation in a dose-dependent manner through its cognate G-protein-coupled receptor, BLT1. LTB4 activated human pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblast by upregulating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase as well as Nox4-signaling pathways. In an autoimmune model of pulmonary hypertension, inhibition of these pathways blocked perivascular inflammation, decreased Nox4 expression, reduced reactive oxygen species production, reversed arteriolar adventitial fibroblast activation, and attenuated pulmonary hypertension development. This study uncovers a novel mechanism by which LTB4 further promotes pulmonary arterial hypertension pathogenesis, beyond its established effects on endothelial and smooth muscle cells, by activating adventitial fibroblasts.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.115.06370

  View details for PubMedID 26558820

• Ambrisentan and Tadalafil Up-front Combination Therapy in Scleroderma-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Hassoun, P. M., Zamanian, R. T., Damico, R., Lechtzin, N., Khair, R., Kolb, T. M., Tedford, R. J., Hulme, O. L., Housten, T., Pisanello, C., Sato, T., Pullins, E. H., Corona-Villalobos, C. P., Zimmerman, S. L., Gashouta, M. A., Minai, O. A., Torres, F., Girgis, R. E., Chin, K., Mathai, S. C. 2015; 192 (9): 1102-1110

  Abstract

  Scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) is a rare disease characterized by a very dismal response to therapy and poor survival. We assessed the effects of up-front combination PAH therapy in patients with SSc-PAH.In this prospective, multicenter, open-label trial, 24 treatment-naive patients with SSc-PAH received ambrisentan 10 mg and tadalafil 40 mg daily for 36 weeks. Functional, hemodynamic, and imaging (cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography) assessments at baseline and 36 weeks included changes in right ventricular (RV) mass and pulmonary vascular resistance as co-primary endpoints and stroke volume/pulmonary pulse pressure ratio, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, 6-minute walk distance, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide as secondary endpoints.At 36 weeks, we found that treatment had resulted in significant reductions in median (interquartile range [IQR]) RV mass (28.0 g [IQR, 20.6-32.9] vs. 32.5 g [IQR, 23.2-41.4]; P < 0.05) and median pulmonary vascular resistance (3.1 Wood units [IQR, 2.0-5.7] vs. 6.9 Wood units [IQR, 4.0-12.9]; P < 0.0001) and in improvements in median stroke volume/pulmonary pulse pressure ratio (2.6 ml/mm Hg [IQR, 1.8-3.5] vs. 1.4 ml/mm Hg [IQR 8.9-2.4]; P < 0.0001) and mean ( ± SD) tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (2.2 ± 0.12 cm vs. 1.65 ± 0.11 cm; P < 0.0001), 6-minute walk distance (395 ± 99 m vs. 343 ± 131 m; P = 0.001), and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (647 ± 1,127 pg/ml vs. 1,578 ± 2,647 pg/ml; P < 0.05).Up-front combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil significantly improved hemodynamics, RV structure and function, and functional status in treatment-naive patients with SSc-PAH and may represent a very effective therapy for this patient population. In addition, we identified novel hemodynamic and imaging biomarkers that could have potential value in future clinical trials. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01042158).

  View details for DOI 10.1164/rccm.201507-1398OC

  View details for PubMedID 26360334

• RNA Sequencing Analysis Detection of a Novel Pathway of Endothelial Dysfunction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Rhodes, C. J., Im, H., Cao, A., Hennigs, J. K., Wang, L., Sa, S., Chen, P., Nickel, N. P., Miyagawa, K., Hopper, R. K., Tojais, N. F., Li, C. G., Gu, M., Spiekerkoetter, E., Xian, Z., Chen, R., Zhao, M., Kaschwich, M., del Rosario, P. A., Bernstein, D., Zamanian, R. T., Wu, J. C., Snyder, M. P., Rabinovitch, M. 2015; 192 (3): 356-366

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysregulation, but global changes in gene expression have not been related to perturbations in function.RNA sequencing was utilized to discriminate changes in transcriptomes of endothelial cells cultured from lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension vs. controls and to assess the functional significance of major differentially expressed transcripts.The endothelial transcriptomes from seven control and six idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients' lungs were analyzed. Differentially expressed genes were related to BMPR2 signaling. Those downregulated were assessed for function in cultured cells, and in a transgenic mouse.Fold-differences in ten genes were significant (p<0.05), four increased and six decreased in patients vs.No patient was mutant for BMPR2. However, knockdown of BMPR2 by siRNA in control pulmonary arterial endothelial cells recapitulated six/ten patient-related gene changes, including decreased collagen IV (COL4A1, COL4A2) and ephrinA1 (EFNA1). Reduction of BMPR2 regulated transcripts was related to decreased β-catenin. Reducing COL4A1, COL4A2 and EFNA1 by siRNA inhibited pulmonary endothelial adhesion, migration and tube formation. In mice null for the EFNA1 receptor, EphA2, vs. controls, VEGF receptor blockade and hypoxia caused more severe pulmonary hypertension, judged by elevated right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy and loss of small arteries.The novel relationship between BMPR2 dysfunction and reduced expression of endothelial COL4 and EFNA1 may underlie vulnerability to injury in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

  View details for DOI 10.1164/rccm.201408-1528OC

  View details for PubMedID 26030479

• Low-Dose FK506 (Tacrolimus) in End-Stage Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine Spiekerkoetter, E., Sung, Y. K., Sudheendra, D., Bill, M., Aldred, M. A., van de Veerdonk, M. C., Vonk Noordegraaf, A., Long-Boyle, J., Dash, R., Yang, P. C., Lawrie, A., Swift, A. J., Rabinovitch, M., Zamanian, R. T. 2015; 192 (2): 254-257

  View details for DOI 10.1164/rccm.201411-2061LE

  View details for PubMedID 26177174

• Elafin Reverses Pulmonary Hypertension via Caveolin-1-Dependent Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Nickel, N. P., Spiekerkoetter, E., Gu, M., Li, C. G., Li, H., Kaschwich, M., Diebold, I., Hennigs, J. K., Kim, K., Miyagawa, K., Wang, L., Cao, A., Sa, S., Jiang, X., Stockstill, R. W., Nicolls, M. R., Zamanian, R. T., Bland, R. D., Rabinovitch, M. 2015; 191 (11): 1273-1286

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by endothelial cell dysfunction, impaired BMPR2 signaling, and increased elastase activity. Synthetic elastase inhibitors reverse experimental pulmonary hypertension but cause hepatotoxicity in clinical studies. The endogenous elastase inhibitor elafin attenuates the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in mice, but its potential to improve endothelial cell function and BMPR2 signaling, and to reverse severe experimental pulmonary hypertension or vascular pathology in the human disease was unknown.To assess elafin-mediated regression of pulmonary vascular pathology in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by VEGF receptor blockade and hypoxia (Sugen/Hypoxia), and in lung explants from pulmonary hypertension patients. To determine if elafin amplifies BMPR2 signaling in pulmonary artery endothelial cells from controls and patients, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Methods, Measurements and Main Results: In Sugen/Hypoxia rats, elafin reduced elastase activity and reversed pulmonary hypertension, judged by regression of right ventricular systolic pressure and hypertrophy and pulmonary artery occlusive changes. Elafin improved endothelial function by increasing apelin, a product of BMPR2 signaling. Elafin induced apoptosis in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and in lung organ culture elafin decreased neointimal lesions. In normal and patient pulmonary artery endothelial cells, elafin enhanced survival and promoted angiogenesis by increasing pSMAD dependent and independent BMPR2 signaling. This was linked mechanistically to augmented interaction of BMPR2 with caveolin-1 via elafin-mediated stabilization of caveolin-1 on endothelial surfaces.Elafin reverses obliterative changes in rat and human pulmonary arteries via elastase inhibition and caveolin-1 dependent amplification of BMPR2 signaling.

  View details for DOI 10.1164/rccm.201412-2291OC

  View details for Web of Science ID 000356105000014

  View details for PubMedID 25853696

• Right Heart Score for Predicting Outcome in Idiopathic, Familial, or Drug- and Toxin-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension JACC-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING Haddad, F., Spruijt, O. A., Denault, A. Y., Mercier, O., Brunner, N., Furman, D., Fadel, E., Bogaard, H. J., Schnittger, I., Vrtovec, B., Wu, J. C., Perez, V. D., Vonk-Noordegraaf, A., Zamanian, R. T. 2015; 8 (6): 627-638

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jcmg.2014.12.029

  View details for Web of Science ID 000356560600001

  View details for PubMedID 25981508

• Right Heart Score for Predicting Outcome in Idiopathic, Familial, or Drug- and Toxin-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. JACC. Cardiovascular imaging Haddad, F., Spruijt, O. A., Denault, A. Y., Mercier, O., Brunner, N., Furman, D., Fadel, E., Bogaard, H. J., Schnittger, I., Vrtovec, B., Wu, J. C., de Jesus Perez, V., Vonk-Noordegraaf, A., Zamanian, R. T. 2015; 8 (6): 627-638

  Abstract

  This study sought to determine whether a simple score combining indexes of right ventricular (RV) function and right atrial (RA) size would offer good discrimination of outcome in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Identifying a simple score of outcome could simplify risk stratification of patients with PAH and potentially lead to improved tailored monitoring or therapy.We recruited patients from both Stanford University (derivation cohort) and VU University Medical Center (validation cohort). The composite endpoint for the study was death or lung transplantation. A Cox proportional hazard with bootstrap CI adjustment model was used to determine independent correlates of death or transplantation. A predictive score was developed using the beta coefficients of the multivariable models.For the derivation cohort (n = 95), the majority of patients were female (79%), average age was 43 ± 11 years, mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 54 ± 14 mm Hg, and pulmonary vascular resistance index was 25 ± 12 Wood units m(2). Over an average follow-up of 5 years, the composite endpoint occurred in 34 patients, including 26 deaths and 8 patients requiring lung transplant. On multivariable analysis, RV systolic dysfunction grade (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.4 per grade; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0 to 7.8; p < 0.001), severe RA enlargement (HR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.3 to 8.1; p = 0.009), and systemic blood pressure <110 mm Hg (HR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.5 to 9.4; p < 0.001) were independently associated with outcome. A right heart (RH) score constructed on the basis of these 3 parameters compared favorably with the National Institutes of Health survival equation (0.88; 95% CI: 0.79 to 0.94 vs. 0.60; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.71; p < 0.001) but was not statistically different than the REVEAL (Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management) score c-statistic of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69 to 0.88) with p = 0.097. In the validation cohort (n = 87), the RH score remained the strongest independent correlate of outcome.In patients with prevalent PAH, a simple RH score may offer good discrimination of long-term outcome.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jcmg.2014.12.029

  View details for PubMedID 25981508

• Single- vs double-lung transplantation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis since the implementation of lung allocation based on medical need. JAMA Schaffer, J. M., Singh, S. K., Reitz, B. A., Zamanian, R. T., Mallidi, H. R. 2015; 313 (9): 936-948

  Abstract

  Outcomes of single- and double-lung transplantation have not been rigorously assessed since the allocation of donor lungs according to medical need as quantified by the Lung Allocation Score, which began in 2005.To compare outcomes in single- and double-lung transplant recipients since the Lung Allocation Score was implemented.In this exploratory analysis, adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent lung transplantation in the United States between May 4, 2005, and December 31, 2012, were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing thoracic registry, with follow-up to December 31, 2012. Posttransplantation graft survival was assessed with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Propensity scores were used to control for treatment selection bias. A multivariable flexible parametric prognostic model was used to characterize the time-varying hazard associated with single- vs double-lung transplantation.Single- or double-lung transplantation.Composite of posttransplant death and graft failure (retransplantation).Patients with IPF (n = 4134, of whom 2010 underwent single-lung and 2124 underwent double-lung transplantation) or COPD (n = 3174, of whom 1299 underwent single-lung and 1875 underwent double-lung transplantation) were identified as having undergone lung transplantation since May 2005. Median follow-up was 23.5 months. Of the patients with IPF, 1380 (33.4%) died and 115 (2.8%) underwent retransplantation; of the patients with COPD, 1138 (34.0%) died and 59 (1.9%) underwent retransplantation. After confounders were controlled for with propensity score analysis, double-lung transplants were associated with better graft survival in patients with IPF (adjusted median survival, 65.2 months [interquartile range {IQR}, 21.4-91.3 months] vs 50.4 months [IQR, 17.0-87.5 months]; P < .001) but not in patients with COPD (adjusted median survival, 67.7 months [IQR, 25.2-89.6 months] vs 64.0 months [IQR, 25.2-88.7 months]; P = .23). The interaction between diagnosis type (COPD or IPF) and graft failure was significant (P = .049). Double-lung transplants had a time-varying association with graft survival; a decreased instantaneous late hazard for death or graft failure among patients with IPF was noted at 1 year and persisted at 5 years postoperatively (instantaneous hazard at 5 years, hazard ratio, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.52-0.84] in patients with IPF and 0.89 [95% CI, 0.71-1.13] in patients with COPD).In an exploratory analysis of registry data since implementation of a medical need-based lung allocation system, double-lung transplantation was associated with better graft survival than single-lung transplantation in patients with IPF. In patients with COPD, there was no survival difference between single- and double-lung transplant recipients at 5 years.

  View details for DOI 10.1001/jama.2015.1175

  View details for PubMedID 25734735

• Unique predictors of mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis in the REVEAL registry. Chest Chung, L., Farber, H. W., Benza, R., Miller, D. P., Parsons, L., Hassoun, P. M., McGoon, M., Nicolls, M. R., Zamanian, R. T. 2014; 146 (6): 1494-1504

  Abstract

  Background:Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-APAH) experience higher mortality rates than patients with idiopathic disease and those with other connective tissue diseases (CTD-APAH). We sought to identify unique predictors of mortality associated with SSc-APAH in the CTD-APAH population. Methods:The Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Management (REVEAL) is a multicenter, prospective US-based registry of patients with previously and newly diagnosed (enrollment within 90 days of diagnostic right heart catheterization) PAH. Cox regression models evaluated all previously identified candidate predictors of mortality in the overall REVEAL population to identify significant predictors of mortality in the SSc-APAH (n=500) versus non-SSc-CTD-APAH (n=304) populations. Results:Three-year survival in the previously diagnosed and newly diagnosed SSc-APAH group was 61.4±2.7% and 51.2±4.0%, respectively, compared with 80.9±2.7% and 76.4±4.6%, respectively, in the non-SSc-CTD-APAH group (P<.001). In multivariate analyses, males aged >60 years, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤110 mmHg, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) <165 m, mean right atrial pressure (mRAP) >20 mmHg within 1 year, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >32 WU remained unique predictors of mortality in the SSc-APAH group; 6MWD ≥440 m was protective in the non-SSc-CTD-APAH group, but not the SSc-APAH group. Conclusions:Patients with SSc-APAH have higher mortality rates than non-SSc-CTD-APAH patients. Identifying SSc-APAH patients who are at particularly high risk of death, including elderly males and patients with low baseline SBP or 6MWD, or markedly elevated mRAP or PVR, will enable clinicians to identify patients who may benefit from closer monitoring and more aggressive treatment. Registered at:www.clinicaltrials.gov #NCT00370214.Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-APAH) experience higher mortality rates than patients with idiopathic disease and those with other connective tissue diseases (CTD-APAH). We sought to identify unique predictors of mortality associated with SSc-APAH in the CTD-APAH population.The Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Management (REVEAL) is a multicenter, prospective US-based registry of patients with previously and newly diagnosed (enrollment within 90 days of diagnostic right heart catheterization) PAH. Cox regression models evaluated all previously identified candidate predictors of mortality in the overall REVEAL population to identify significant predictors of mortality in the SSc-APAH (n=500) versus non-SSc-CTD-APAH (n=304) populations.Three-year survival in the previously diagnosed and newly diagnosed SSc-APAH group was 61.4±2.7% and 51.2±4.0%, respectively, compared with 80.9±2.7% and 76.4±4.6%, respectively, in the non-SSc-CTD-APAH group (P<.001). In multivariate analyses, males aged >60 years, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤110 mmHg, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) <165 m, mean right atrial pressure (mRAP) >20 mmHg within 1 year, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >32 WU remained unique predictors of mortality in the SSc-APAH group; 6MWD ≥440 m was protective in the non-SSc-CTD-APAH group, but not the SSc-APAH group.Patients with SSc-APAH have higher mortality rates than non-SSc-CTD-APAH patients. Identifying SSc-APAH patients who are at particularly high risk of death, including elderly males and patients with low baseline SBP or 6MWD, or markedly elevated mRAP or PVR, will enable clinicians to identify patients who may benefit from closer monitoring and more aggressive treatment.www.clinicaltrials.gov #NCT00370214.

  View details for DOI 10.1378/chest.13-3014

  View details for PubMedID 24992469

• Impact of insulin resistance on ventricular function in pulmonary arterial hypertension. journal of heart and lung transplantation Brunner, N. W., Skhiri, M., Fortenko, O., Hsi, A., Haddad, F., Khazeni, N., Zamanian, R. T. 2014; 33 (7): 721-726

  Abstract

  Insulin resistance (IR) is an independent prognostic marker in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), although the mechanism by which it engenders risk is unknown. We prospectively investigated the clinical, laboratory, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic characteristics of insulin-sensitive (IS) and IR patients with PAH.This was a prospective cohort study including well-phenotyped patients with PAH proven at cardiac catheterization. Patients were classified as IS or IR on the basis of the well-validated triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio. Clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic characteristics were compared between cohorts. Distance walked on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and echocardiograms were compared between IS and IR for the sub-set of patients that had these tests within 1 month of cardiac catheterization.Of the 111 PAH patients enrolled, 59 were IS, 25 were IR, and 27 were classified as indeterminate. Mean age was 45.8 ± 15.0 years. IR was associated with worse New York Heart Association class (p = 0.02). There were no differences in hemodynamics, biomarkers, 6MWT distance, or parameters of right ventricular function (i.e., tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, myocardial performance index, and fractional area change) between groups. Despite similar systemic vascular resistance, parameters of left ventricular diastolic function were more favorable for IS vs IR, including mitral inflow E wave velocity (82 ± 17 vs 64 ± 19 msec, p = 0.02), E/A ratio (1.2 ± 0.4 vs 0.8 ± 0.2, p = 0.01), and lateral mitral valve E' velocity (13.9 ± 3.5 vs 10.4 ± 2.2 msec, p = 0.01).IR is associated with worse functional class and diastology compared with IS in PAH, although other prognostic parameters are similar.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2014.02.016

  View details for PubMedID 24819985

• Current Clinical Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension CIRCULATION RESEARCH Zamanian, R. T., Kudelko, K. T., Sung, Y. K., Perez, V. D., Liu, J., Spiekerkoetter, E. 2014; 115 (1): 131-147

  Abstract

  During the past 2 decades, there has been a tremendous evolution in the evaluation and care of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The introduction of targeted PAH therapy consisting of prostacyclin and its analogs, endothelin antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and now a soluble guanylate cyclase activator have increased therapeutic options and potentially reduced morbidity and mortality; yet, none of the current therapies have been curative. Current clinical management of PAH has become more complex given the focus on early diagnosis, an increased number of available therapeutics within each mechanistic class, and the emergence of clinically challenging scenarios such as perioperative care. Efforts to standardize the clinical care of patients with PAH have led to the formation of multidisciplinary PAH tertiary care programs that strive to offer medical care based on peer-reviewed evidence-based, and expert consensus guidelines. Furthermore, these tertiary PAH centers often support clinical and basic science research programs to gain novel insights into the pathogenesis of PAH with the goal to improve the clinical management of this devastating disease. In this article, we discuss the clinical approach and management of PAH from the perspective of a single US-based academic institution. We provide an overview of currently available clinical guidelines and offer some insight into how we approach current controversies in clinical management of certain patient subsets. We conclude with an overview of our program structure and a perspective on research and the role of a tertiary PAH center in contributing new knowledge to the field.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.303827

  View details for Web of Science ID 000337738900016

• Whole-Exome Sequencing Reveals TopBP1 as a Novel Gene in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Perez, V. A., Yuan, K., Lyuksyutova, M. A., Dewey, F., Orcholski, M. E., Shuffle, E. M., Mathur, M., Yancy, L., Rojas, V., Li, C. G., Cao, A., Alastalo, T., Khazeni, N., Cimprich, K. A., Butte, A. J., Ashley, E., Zamanian, R. T. 2014; 189 (10): 1260-1272

  Abstract

  Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by progressive loss of pulmonary microvessels. Although mutations in the bone morphogenetic receptor 2 (BMPR2) are found in 80% of heritable and ∼15% of patients with IPAH, their low penetrance (∼20%) suggests that other unidentified genetic modifiers are required for manifestation of the disease phenotype. Use of whole-exome sequencing (WES) has recently led to the discovery of novel susceptibility genes in heritable PAH, but whether WES can also accelerate gene discovery in IPAH remains unknown.To determine whether WES can help identify novel gene modifiers in patients with IPAH.Exome capture and sequencing was performed on genomic DNA isolated from 12 unrelated patients with IPAH lacking BMPR2 mutations. Observed genetic variants were prioritized according to their pathogenic potential using ANNOVAR.A total of nine genes were identified as high-priority candidates. Our top hit was topoisomerase DNA binding II binding protein 1 (TopBP1), a gene involved in the response to DNA damage and replication stress. We found that TopBP1 expression was reduced in vascular lesions and pulmonary endothelial cells isolated from patients with IPAH. Although TopBP1 deficiency made endothelial cells susceptible to DNA damage and apoptosis in response to hydroxyurea, its restoration resulted in less DNA damage and improved cell survival.WES led to the discovery of TopBP1, a gene whose deficiency may increase susceptibility to small vessel loss in IPAH. We predict that use of WES will help identify gene modifiers that influence an individual's risk of developing IPAH.

  View details for DOI 10.1164/rccm.201310-17490C

  View details for Web of Science ID 000336017200018

  View details for PubMedID 24702692

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4225850

• Blocking macrophage leukotriene b4 prevents endothelial injury and reverses pulmonary hypertension. Science translational medicine Tian, W., Jiang, X., Tamosiuniene, R., Sung, Y. K., Qian, J., Dhillon, G., Gera, L., Farkas, L., Rabinovitch, M., Zamanian, R. T., Inayathullah, M., Fridlib, M., Rajadas, J., Peters-Golden, M., Voelkel, N. F., Nicolls, M. R. 2013; 5 (200): 200ra117-?

  Abstract

  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition that affects mainly young and middle-aged women, and its etiology is poorly understood. A prominent pathological feature of PH is accumulation of macrophages near the arterioles of the lung. In both clinical tissue and the SU5416 (SU)/athymic rat model of severe PH, we found that the accumulated macrophages expressed high levels of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H), the biosynthetic enzyme for leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Moreover, macrophage-derived LTB4 directly induced apoptosis in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). Further, LTB4 induced proliferation and hypertrophy of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. We found that LTB4 acted through its receptor, BLT1, to induce PAEC apoptosis by inhibiting the protective endothelial sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1)-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway. Blocking LTA4H decreased in vivo LTB4 levels, prevented PAEC apoptosis, restored Sphk1-eNOS signaling, and reversed fulminant PH in the SU/athymic rat model of PH. Antagonizing BLT1 similarly reversed established PH. Inhibition of LTB4 biosynthesis or signal transduction in SU-treated athymic rats with established disease also improved cardiac function and reopened obstructed arterioles; this approach was also effective in the monocrotaline model of severe PH. Human plexiform lesions, one hallmark of PH, showed increased numbers of macrophages, which expressed LTA4H, and patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension exhibited significantly higher LTB4 concentrations in the systemic circulation than did healthy subjects. These results uncover a possible role for macrophage-derived LTB4 in PH pathogenesis and identify a pathway that may be amenable to therapeutic targeting.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.3006674

  View details for PubMedID 23986401

• Blocking Macrophage Leukotriene B-4 Prevents Endothelial Injury and Reverses Pulmonary Hypertension SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE Tian, W., Jiang, X., Tamosiuniene, R., Sung, Y. K., Qian, J., Dhillon, G., Gera, L., Farkas, L., Rabinovitch, M., Zamanian, R. T., Inayathullah, M., Fridlib, M., Rajadas, J., Peters-Golden, M., Voelkel, N. F., Nicolls, M. R. 2013; 5 (200)

  Abstract

  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition that affects mainly young and middle-aged women, and its etiology is poorly understood. A prominent pathological feature of PH is accumulation of macrophages near the arterioles of the lung. In both clinical tissue and the SU5416 (SU)/athymic rat model of severe PH, we found that the accumulated macrophages expressed high levels of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H), the biosynthetic enzyme for leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Moreover, macrophage-derived LTB4 directly induced apoptosis in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). Further, LTB4 induced proliferation and hypertrophy of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. We found that LTB4 acted through its receptor, BLT1, to induce PAEC apoptosis by inhibiting the protective endothelial sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1)-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway. Blocking LTA4H decreased in vivo LTB4 levels, prevented PAEC apoptosis, restored Sphk1-eNOS signaling, and reversed fulminant PH in the SU/athymic rat model of PH. Antagonizing BLT1 similarly reversed established PH. Inhibition of LTB4 biosynthesis or signal transduction in SU-treated athymic rats with established disease also improved cardiac function and reopened obstructed arterioles; this approach was also effective in the monocrotaline model of severe PH. Human plexiform lesions, one hallmark of PH, showed increased numbers of macrophages, which expressed LTA4H, and patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension exhibited significantly higher LTB4 concentrations in the systemic circulation than did healthy subjects. These results uncover a possible role for macrophage-derived LTB4 in PH pathogenesis and identify a pathway that may be amenable to therapeutic targeting.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000323705100010

• Functional Class Improvement and 3-Year Survival Outcomes in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the REVEAL Registry CHEST Barst, R. J., Chung, L., Zamanian, R. T., Turner, M., Mcgoon, M. D. 2013; 144 (1): 160-168

  Abstract

  ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: New York Heart Association/World Health Organization functional class (FC) is associated with outcomes in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We assessed whether patients with PAH who improve from FC III to FC I/II have improved survival versus patients who remain at FC III or worsen to FC IV. METHODS: Patients aged ≥19 years with FC III PAH from the REVEAL Registry (N=982) were categorized as improved, unchanged, or worsened according to their change in FC from enrollment to first follow-up assessment within 1 year of enrollment. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 3-year survival from first follow-up and changes in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) from enrollment to first follow-up were determined. Subgroup analyses were conducted by etiology (ie, idiopathic/familial, connective tissue disease [CTD], congenital heart disease) and time of diagnosis (ie, newly and previously diagnosed [diagnostic right heart catheterization within or ≥3 months of enrollment, respectively]). RESULTS: Overall, 27% of patients improved FC. Survival was better in patients whose FC improved (84%±2%; n=263) versus those who remained unchanged (66%±2%; n=645) or worsened (29%±6%; n=74) (all P<.001). Survival was also better in patient subgroups whose FC improved versus those who remained unchanged (idiopathic/familial [P<.001], CTD-associated PAH [P=.009], whether newly [P=.004] or previously diagnosed [P<.001]. 6MWD improvements were greater in patients whose FC improved versus those who remained unchanged in the overall (P<.001) and CTD (P=.028) cohorts. CONCLUSION: Patients with PAH who improve from FC III to I/II, whether newly or previously diagnosed and regardless of PAH etiology, have better survival versus patients who remain FC III.ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT00370214.

  View details for DOI 10.1378/chest.12-2417

  View details for PubMedID 23429998

• Transplantation for Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Improvement in the Lung Allocation Score Era CIRCULATION Schaffer, J. M., Singh, S. K., Joyce, D. L., Reitz, B. A., Robbins, R. C., Zamanian, R. T., Mallidi, H. R. 2013; 127 (25): 2503-2513

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Lung transplant (LUT) and heart-lung transplant (HLT) represent surgical options for treating medically refractory idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). The effect of the lung allocation score (LAS) on waitlist and transplant outcomes in IPAH patients is poorly described. METHODS AND RESULTS: Adults diagnosed with IPAH and listed for transplant in the 80 months before and after the LAS algorithm was implemented (N=1430) were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing thoracic registry. Patients were stratified by organ listed and pre- and post-LAS era. The cumulative incidences of transplant and mortality for waitlisted patients in both eras were appraised with competing outcomes analysis. Post-transplant survival was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method. These analyses were repeated in propensity-matched subgroups. Cox proportional hazards analysis evaluated the effect of pre-listing and pre-transplant characteristics on mortality. We found that post-LAS-era patients had significantly worse comorbidities; nevertheless, both LUT and HLT candidates in this era enjoyed lower waitlist mortality and a higher incidence of transplant in our unmatched and propensity-matched analyses. On multivariable analysis, HLT and double-lung transplant (DLT) were associated with improved survival from the time of waitlisting, as was being listed at a medium-to-high-volume institution. Donor/recipient gender matching predicted post-transplant survival. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of transplant has increased while waitlist mortality has decreased in IPAH patients waitlisted for transplant in the post-LAS era. Both HLT and DLT are predictive of survival in transplant candidates with IPAH, as is being listed at a medium-to-high-volume institution. Donor/recipient gender-matching is associated with better post-transplant survival.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.001080

  View details for Web of Science ID 000320916900014

  View details for PubMedID 23697910

• Safety and Efficacy of Transition from Systemic Prostanoids to Inhaled Treprostinil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY Perez, V. A., Rosenzweig, E., Rubin, L. J., Poch, D., Bajwa, A., Park, M., Jain, M., Bourge, R. C., Kudelko, K., Spiekerkoetter, E., Liu, J., Hsi, A., Zamanian, R. T. 2012; 110 (10): 1546-1550

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by increased pulmonary pressures and chronic right heart failure. Therapies for moderate and severe PAH include subcutaneous (SQ) and intravenous (IV) prostanoids that improve symptoms and quality of life. However, treatment compliance can be limited by severe side effects and complications related to methods of drug administration. Inhaled prostanoids, which offer the advantage of direct delivery of the drug to the pulmonary circulation without need for invasive approaches, may serve as an alternative for patients unable to tolerate SQ/IV therapy. In this retrospective cohort study we collected clinical, hemodynamic, and functional data from 18 clinically stable patients with World Health Organization group I PAH seen in 6 large national PAH centers before and after transitioning to inhaled treprostinil from IV/SQ prostanoids. Before transition 15 patients had been receiving IV or SQ treprostinil (mean dose 73 ng/kg/min) and 3 patients had been on IV epoprostenol (mean dose 10 ng/kg/min) for an average duration of 113 ± 80 months. Although most patients who transitioned to inhaled treprostinil demonstrated no statistically significant worsening of hemodynamics or 6-minute walk distance, a minority demonstrated worsening of New York Heart Association functional class over a 7-month period. In conclusion, although transition of patients from IV/SQ prostanoids to inhaled treprostinil appears to be well tolerated in clinically stable patients, they should remain closely monitored for signs of clinical decompensation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.07.012

  View details for Web of Science ID 000311523900026

• Characteristics and Outcome After Hospitalization for Acute Right Heart Failure in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension CIRCULATION-HEART FAILURE Haddad, F., Peterson, T., Fuh, E., Kudelko, K. T., Perez, V. D., Skhiri, M., Vagelos, R., Schnittger, I., Denault, A. Y., Rosenthal, D. N., Doyle, R. L., Zamanian, R. T. 2011; 4 (6): 692-699

  Abstract

  Although much is known about the risk factors for poor outcome in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, much less is known about the syndrome of acute heart failure primarily affecting the right ventricle (acute right heart failure).By using Stanford Hospital's pulmonary hypertension database, we identified consecutive acute right heart failure hospitalizations in patients with PAH. We used longitudinal regression analysis with the generalized estimating equations method to identify factors associated with an increased likelihood of 90-day mortality or urgent transplantation. From June 1999 to September 2009, 119 patients with PAH were hospitalized for acute right heart failure (207 episodes). Death or urgent transplantation occurred in 34 patients by 90 days of admission. Multivariable analysis identified a higher respiratory rate on admission (>20 breaths per minute; OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.5-7.8), renal dysfunction on admission (glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min per 1.73 m2; OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.3), hyponatremia (serum sodium ≤136 mEq/L; OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7-7.9), and tricuspid regurgitation severity (OR, 2.5 per grade; 95% CI, 1.2-5.5) as independent factors associated with an increased likelihood of death or urgent transplantation.These results highlight the high mortality after hospitalizations for acute right heart failure in patients with PAH. Factors identifiable within hours of hospitalization may help predict the likelihood of death or the need for urgent transplantation in patients with PAH.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.110.949933

  View details for PubMedID 21908586

• Incidence, Correlates, and Consequences of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Hospitalized With Acute Right-Side Heart Failure JOURNAL OF CARDIAC FAILURE Haddad, F., Fuh, E., Peterson, T., Skhiri, M., Kudelko, K. T., Perez, V. D., Winkelmayer, W. C., Doyle, R. L., Chertow, G. M., Zamanian, R. T. 2011; 17 (7): 533-539

  Abstract

  Though much is known about the prognostic influence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in left-side heart failure, much less is known about AKI in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).We identified consecutive patients with PAH who were hospitalized at Stanford Hospital for acute right-side heart failure. AKI was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Acute Kidney Injury Network. From June 1999 to June 2009, 105 patients with PAH were hospitalized for acute right-side heart failure (184 hospitalizations). AKI occurred in 43 hospitalizations (23%) in 34 patients (32%). The odds of developing AKI were higher among patients with chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR] 3.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-8.5), high central venous pressure (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.4, per 5 mm Hg), and tachycardia on admission (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.1-8.8). AKI was strongly associated with 30-day mortality after acute right-side heart failure hospitalization (OR 5.3, 95% CI 2.2-13.2).AKI is relatively common in patients with PAH and associated with a short-term risk of death.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.03.003

  View details for PubMedID 21703524

• Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Perez, V. A., Zamanian, R. T. 2011; 364 (17): 1677-1677

  View details for Web of Science ID 000289940400022

  View details for PubMedID 21524224

• Characterization of Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension From REVEAL Identifying Systemic Sclerosis as a Unique Phenotype CHEST Chung, L., Liu, J., Parsons, L., Hassoun, P. M., McGoon, M., Badesch, D. B., Miller, D. P., Nicolls, M. R., Zamanian, R. T. 2010; 138 (6): 1383-1394

  Abstract

  REVEAL (the Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management) is the largest US cohort of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) confirmed by right-sided heart catheterization (RHC), providing a more comprehensive subgroup characterization than previously possible. We used REVEAL to analyze the clinical features of patients with connective tissue disease-associated PAH (CTD-APAH).All newly and previously diagnosed patients with World Health Organization (WHO) group 1 PAH meeting RHC criteria at 54 US centers were consecutively enrolled. Cross-sectional and 1-year mortality and hospitalization analyses from time of enrollment compared CTD-APAH to idiopathic disease and systemic sclerosis (SSc) to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Compared with patients with idiopathic disease (n = 1,251), patients with CTD-APAH (n = 641) had better hemodynamics and favorable right ventricular echocardiographic findings but a higher prevalence of pericardial effusions, lower 6-min walk distance (300.5 ± 118.0 vs 329.4 ± 134.7 m, P = .01), higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (432.8 ± 789.1 vs 245.6 ± 427.2 pg/mL, P < .0001), and lower diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (Dlco) (44.9% ± 18.0% vs 63.6% ± 22.1% predicted, P < .0001). One-year survival and freedom from hospitalization were lower in the CTD-APAH group (86% vs 93%, P < .0001; 67% vs 73%, P = .03). Compared with patients with SSc-APAH (n = 399), those with other CTDs (SLE, n = 110; MCTD, n = 52; RA, n = 28) had similar hemodynamics; however, patients with SSc-APAH had the highest BNP levels (552.2 ± 977.8 pg/mL), lowest Dlco (41.2% ± 16.3% predicted), and poorest 1-year survival (82% vs 94% in SLE-APAH, 88% in MCTD-APAH, and 96% in RA-APAH).Patients with SSc-APAH demonstrate a unique phenotype with the highest BNP levels, lowest Dlco, and poorest survival of all CTD-APAH subgroups.ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00370214; URL: clinicaltrials.gov.

  View details for DOI 10.1378/chest.10-0260

  View details for Web of Science ID 000285494000017

  View details for PubMedID 20507945

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3621419

• Worldwide Physician Education and Training in Pulmonary Hypertension Pulmonary Vascular Disease: The Global Perspective CHEST Elliott, C. G., Barst, R. J., Seeger, W., Porres-Aguilar, M., Brown, L. M., Zamanian, R. T., Rubin, L. J. 2010; 137 (6): 85S-94S

  Abstract

  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) affects > 25 million individuals worldwide and causes premature disability and death for many. The diagnosis and treatment of PH have advanced dramatically through the development of a clearly defined diagnostic classification, an evidence-based treatment algorithm for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension using life-saving medications, and life-saving surgical procedures. However, worldwide education and training of physicians has lagged behind advances in the management of PH. Expertise in the diagnosis and management of PH is uncommon, even though physicians receive training on PH during their graduate and postgraduate education. Advances in worldwide physician education and training in PH will require substantial organization and work. Organizations working in this field will need to work collaboratively to maximize funding for education and to optimize the achievement of educational goals. Political, economic, and cultural barriers must be identified and overcome as part of any strategic plan. Global education should include training objectives for generalist, non-PH specialist, and PH specialist physicians.

  View details for DOI 10.1378/chest.09-2816

  View details for Web of Science ID 000278561500011

  View details for PubMedID 20522584

• PPAR gamma Activation: A Potential Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE Hansmann, G., Zamanian, R. T. 2009; 1 (12)

  Abstract

  The pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves multiple molecular pathways and environmental modifiers and is characterized by progressive obliteration of pulmonary arterioles, leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), right heart failure, and death in approximately 40 to 60% of patients 5 years after diagnosis. There is emerging evidence that many key genes involved in PAH development are targets of the insulin-sensitizing transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), and that pharmacological PPARgamma activation would lead to their beneficial induction or repression and subsequent antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, and direct vasodilatory effects in the vasculature. PPARgamma acts downstream of bone morphogenetic protein receptor II (BMP-RII), which is the cell surface receptor that is mutated or dysfunctional in many forms of PAH. Because our recent clinical observations indicate that insulin resistance may be an environmental risk factor or disease modifier ("second hit"), we suggest that PPARgamma-activating agents might be beneficial in the future treatment of both insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive PAH patients with or without BMP-RII mutations.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.3000267

  View details for Web of Science ID 000277263200003

  View details for PubMedID 20371457

• Insulin resistance in pulmonary arterial hypertension EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL Zamanian, R. T., Hansmann, G., Snook, S., Lilienfeld, D., Rappaport, K. M., Reaven, G. M., RABINOVITCH, M., Doyle, R. L. 2009; 33 (2): 318-324

  Abstract

  Although obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (IR) are well known risk factors for systemic cardiovascular disease, their impact on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unknown. The present authors' previous studies indicate that IR may be a risk factor for PAH. The current study has investigated the prevalence of IR in PAH and explored its relationship with disease severity. Clinical data and fasting blood samples were evaluated in 81 nondiabetic PAH females. In total, 967 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) females served as controls. The fasting triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was used as a surrogate of insulin sensitivity. While body mass index was similar in NHANES versus PAH females (28.6 versus 28.7 kg.m(-2)), PAH females were more likely to have IR (45.7 versus 21.5%) and less likely to be insulin sensitive (IS; 43.2 versus 57.8%). PAH females mostly (82.7%) had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and III symptoms. Aetiology, NYHA class, 6-min walk-distance and haemodynamics did not differ between IR and IS PAH groups. However, the presence of IR and a higher NYHA class was associated with poorer 6-months event-free survival (58 versus 79%). Insulin resistance appears to be more common in pulmonary arterial hypertension females than in the general population, and may be a novel risk factor or disease modifier that might impact on survival.

  View details for DOI 10.1183/09031936.00000508

  View details for Web of Science ID 000263709300014

  View details for PubMedID 19047320

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2785883

• Surrogate and combined end points in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society Ventetuolo, C. E., Benza, R. L., Peacock, A. J., Zamanian, R. T., Badesch, D. B., Kawut, S. M. 2008; 5 (5): 617-622

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare and often devastating disease, although various effective therapies are now available. Clinical trials have used hemodynamic, cardiac imaging, laboratory, and exercise measurements as surrogate and intermediate end points in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Yet, based on the current literature, it is difficult to surmise which of these (if any) have been definitively validated. In addition, investigators have advocated the use of combined clinical end points in future clinical trials. The dependence of clinical trials and clinical management on such end points warrants a review of their use.

  View details for DOI 10.1513/pats.200803-029SK

  View details for PubMedID 18625754

• Management strategies for patients with pulmonary hypertension in the intensive care unit CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Zamanian, R. T., Haddad, F., Doyle, R. L., Weinacker, A. B. 2007; 35 (9): 2037-2050

  Abstract

  Pulmonary hypertension may be encountered in the intensive care unit in patients with critical illnesses such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, left ventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary embolism, as well as after cardiothoracic surgery. Pulmonary hypertension also may be encountered in patients with preexisting pulmonary vascular, lung, liver, or cardiac diseases. The intensive care unit management of patients can prove extremely challenging, particularly when they become hemodynamically unstable. The objective of this review is to discuss the pathogenesis and physiology of pulmonary hypertension and the utility of various diagnostic tools, and to provide recommendations regarding the use of vasopressors and pulmonary vasodilators in intensive care.We undertook a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the management of pulmonary hypertension in the setting of critical illness. We performed a MEDLINE search of articles published from January 1970 to March 2007. Medical subject headings and keywords searched and cross-referenced with each other were: pulmonary hypertension, vasopressor agents, therapeutics, critical illness, intensive care, right ventricular failure, mitral stenosis, prostacyclin, nitric oxide, sildenafil, dopamine, dobutamine, phenylephrine, isoproterenol, and vasopressin. Both human and animal studies related to pulmonary hypertension were reviewed.Pulmonary hypertension presents a particular challenge in critically ill patients, because typical therapies such as volume resuscitation and mechanical ventilation may worsen hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure. Patients with decompensated pulmonary hypertension, including those with pulmonary hypertension associated with cardiothoracic surgery, require therapy for right ventricular failure. Very few human studies have addressed the use of vasopressors and pulmonary vasodilators in these patients, but the use of dobutamine, milrinone, inhaled nitric oxide, and intravenous prostacyclin have the greatest support in the literature. Treatment of pulmonary hypertension resulting from critical illness or chronic lung diseases should address the primary cause of hemodynamic deterioration, and pulmonary vasodilators usually are not necessary.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/01.CCM.0000280433.74246.9E

  View details for PubMedID 17855818

• Low-grade albuminuria in pulmonary arterial hypertension PULMONARY CIRCULATION Nickel, N. P., Perez, V., Zamanian, R. T., Fessel, J. P., Cogan, J. D., Hamid, R., West, J. D., de Caestecker, M. P., Yang, H., Austin, E. D. 2019; 9 (2)

  View details for DOI 10.1177/2045894018824564

  View details for Web of Science ID 000473480400001

• Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 Is a Mechanistic Biomarker of Portopulmonary Hypertension AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Nikolic, I., Yung, L., Yang, P., Malhotra, R., Paskin-Flerlage, S. D., Dinter, T., Bocobo, G. A., Tumelty, K. E., Faugno, A. J., Troncone, L., McNeil, M. E., Huang, X., Coser, K. R., Lai, C. C., Upton, P. D., Goumans, M., Zamanian, R. T., Elliott, C., Lee, A., Zheng, W., Berasi, S. P., Huard, C., Morrell, N. W., Chung, R. T., Channick, R. W., Roberts, K. E., Yu, P. B. 2019; 199 (7): 891–902

  View details for DOI 10.1164/rccm.201807-1236OC

  View details for Web of Science ID 000463002100017

• Outcomes of women with primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy Blumenfeld, Y. J., Girsen, A. I., Druzin, M. L., Lyell, D. J., Bianco, K. Y., Herrero, T., Bentley, J., Seckel, E., Zamanian, R. T., El-Sayed, Y. Y. MOSBY-ELSEVIER. 2019: S405

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.11.633

  View details for Web of Science ID 000454249402093

• EXPRESS: Myocardial Bridge - An Unrecognized Cause of Chest Pain in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Pulmonary circulation Rajmohan, D., Sung, Y. K., Kudelko, K., Perez, V. i., Haddad, F., Tremmel, J., Schnittger, I., Zamanian, R. T., Spiekerkoetter, E. F. 2019: 2045894019860738

  View details for DOI 10.1177/2045894019860738

  View details for PubMedID 31187693

• EXPRESS: Low-Grade Albuminuria in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Pulmonary circulation Nickel, N., Perez, V. i., Fessel, J. P., Cogan, J., Hamid, R., West, J. D., de Caestecker, M., Yang, H., Zamanian, R. T., Austin, E. 2019: 2045894018824564

  View details for PubMedID 30632900

• Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in High-Risk Medical Patients CLINICS IN CHEST MEDICINE McCullough, M., Kholdani, C., Zamanian, R. T. 2018; 39 (3): 483-+

  Abstract

  Venous thromboembolism accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in patients with acute medical illnesses requiring hospital admission. American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend prophylaxis with heparins as first line and mechanical methods as second line. The risk of major bleeding with anticoagulants is less than 1% and not significantly different between agents. Although data support the use of all heparins, there is a trend toward superiority of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs). Because acute illness and immobility do not end at hospital discharge, extended-duration therapy with LMWHs and direct oral anticoagulants remains under investigation.

  View details for PubMedID 30122173

• Exome data clouds the pathogenicity of genetic variants in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension MOLECULAR GENETICS & GENOMIC MEDICINE Abbasi, Y., Jabbari, J., Jabbari, R., Glinge, C., Izadyar, S., Spiekerkoetter, E., Zamanian, R. T., Carlsen, J., Tfelt-Hansen, J. 2018; 6 (5): 835–44

  Abstract

  We aimed to provide a set of previously reported PAH-associated missense and nonsense variants, and evaluate the pathogenicity of those variants.The Human Gene Mutation Database, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for previously reported PAH-associated genes and variants. Thereafter, both exome sequencing project and exome aggregation consortium as background population searched for previously reported PAH-associated missense and nonsense variants. The pathogenicity of previously reported PAH-associated missense variants evaluated by using four in silico prediction tools.In total, 14 PAH-associated genes and 180 missense and nonsense variants were gathered. The BMPR2, the most frequent reported gene, encompasses 135 of 180 missense and nonsense variants. The exome sequencing project comprised 9, and the exome aggregation consortium counted 25 of 180 PAH-associated missense and nonsense variants. The TOPBP1 and ENG genes are unlikely to be the monogenic cause of PAH pathogenesis based on allele frequency in background population and prediction analysis.This is the first evaluation of previously reported PAH-associated missense and nonsense variants. The BMPR2 identified as the major gene out of 14 PAH-associated genes. Based on findings, the ENG and TOPBP1 gene are not likely to be the monogenic cause of PAH.

  View details for PubMedID 30084161

• The Role of Neutrophils and Neutrophil Elastase in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE Taylor, S., Dirir, O., Zamanian, R. T., Rabinovitch, M., Thompson, A. 2018; 5

  View details for DOI 10.3389.fmed.2018.00217

  View details for Web of Science ID 000440761000001

• Reply: Can treprostinil-induced early gastrointestinal side effects serve as predictors of pulmonary arterial hypertension prognosis? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY Leary, P. J., Kolb, T. M., Maron, B. A., Tedford, R. J., Zamanian, R. T. 2018; 264: 188

  View details for PubMedID 29776569

• H2 Receptor Antagonist Use and Mortality in Pulmonary Hypertension: Insight from the VA-CART Program AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Leary, P. J., Hess, E., Baron, A. E., Branch, K. R., Choudhary, G., Hough, C. L., Maron, B. A., Ralph, D. D., Ryan, J. J., Tedford, R. J., Weiss, N. S., Zamanian, R. T., Lahm, T. 2018; 197 (12): 1638–41

  View details for PubMedID 29437490

• Endothelial nitric oxide synthase genotype is associated with pulmonary hypertension severity in left heart failure patients PULMONARY CIRCULATION Duarte, J. D., Kansal, M., Desai, A. A., Riden, K., Arwood, M. J., Yacob, A. A., Stamos, T. D., Cavallari, L. H., Zamanian, R. T., Shah, S. J., Machado, R. F. 2018; 8 (2): 2045894018773049

  Abstract

  The biological mechanisms behind the development of pulmonary hypertension in the setting of left heart failure (HF-PH), including combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (Cpc-PH), remains unclear. This study aimed to use candidate polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes to explore the role of NOS in HF-PH. DNA samples from 118 patients with HF-PH were genotyped for the NOS3 rs1799983 and NOS2 rs3730017 polymorphisms. A multiple regression model was used to compare hemodynamic measurements between genotype groups. Patients with the T/T genotype at rs1799983 possessed a nearly 10 mmHg increased transpulmonary gradient (TPG) compared to those with other genotypes ( P = 0.006). This finding was replicated in an independent cohort of 94 HF-PH patients ( P = 0.005). However, when tested in a cohort of 162 pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension patients, no association was observed. In a combined analysis of both HF-PH cohorts, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), diastolic pulmonary gradient (DPG), and CpcPH status were also associated with rs1799983 genotype ( P = 0.005, P = 0.03, and P = 0.02, respectively). In patients with HF-PH, the NOS3 rs1799983 polymorphism is associated with TPG, and potentially mPAP and DPG as well. These findings suggest that endothelial NOS (encoded by NOS3) may be involved in the pulmonary vascular remodeling observed in Cpc-PH and warrants further study.

  View details for PubMedID 29718770

• Circulating plasmablasts are elevated and produce pathogenic anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY Blum, L. K., Cao, R. L., Sweatt, A. J., Bill, M., Lahey, L. J., Hsi, A. C., Lee, C. S., Kongpachith, S., Ju, C., Mao, R., Wong, H. H., Nicolls, M. R., Zamanian, R. T., Robinson, W. H. 2018; 48 (5): 874–84

  View details for DOI 10.1002/eji.201747460

  View details for Web of Science ID 000435725100016

• The impact of ambrisentan and tadalafil upfront combination therapy on cardiac function in scleroderma associated pulmonary arterial hypertension patients: cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking study PULMONARY CIRCULATION Sato, T., Ambale-Venkatesh, B., Lima, J. C., Zimmerman, S. L., Tedford, R. J., Fujii, T., Hulme, O. L., Pullins, E. H., Corona-Villalobos, C. P., Zamanian, R. T., Minai, O. A., Girgis, R. E., Chin, K., Khair, R., Damico, R. L., Kolb, T. M., Mathai, S. C., Hassoun, P. M. 2018; 8 (1): 2045893217748307

  Abstract

  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of upfront combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil on left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH). LV and RV peak longitudinal and circumferential strain and strain rate (SR), which consisted of peak systolic SR (SRs), peak early diastolic SR (SRe), and peak atrial-diastolic SR (SRa) were analyzed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) data from the recently published ATPAHSS-O trial (ambrisentan and tadalafil upfront combination therapy in SSc-PAH). Twenty-one patients completed the study protocol. Measures of RV systolic function (RV free wall [RVFW] peak longitudinal strain [pLS], RVFW peak longitudinal SRs [pLSRs]) and RV diastolic function (RVFW peak longitudinal SRa [pLSRa], RVFW peak circumferential SRe) were improved after treatment. LV systolic function (LV peak global longitudinal strain [pGLS]) and diastolic function (LV peak global longitudinal SRe [pGLSRe]) were also significantly improved at follow-up. Increased 6-min walk distance was significantly correlated with RVFW pLS and pLSRs, while the decrease in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was correlated with LV pGLS. Increased cardiac index was associated with improved LV pGLSRe, and reduction in mean right atrial pressure was correlated with improved RVFW pLS and pLSRa. Combination therapy was associated with a significant improvement in both RV and LV function as assessed by CMR-derived strain and SR. Importantly, the improvement in RV and LV strain and SR correlated with improvements in known prognostic markers of PAH. (Approved by clinicaltrials.gov [NCT01042158] before patient recruitment.).

  View details for PubMedID 29251556

• Improvement in Right Ventricular Strain with Ambrisentan and Tadalafil Upfront Therapy in Scleroderma-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Mercurio, V., Mukherjee, M., Tedford, R. J., Zamanian, R. T., Khair, R. M., Sato, T., Minai, O. A., Torres, F., Girgis, R. E., Chin, K., Damico, R., Kolb, T. M., Mathai, S. C., Hassoun, P. M. 2018; 197 (3): 388–91

  View details for PubMedID 28661697

• Circulating plasmablasts are elevated and produce pathogenic anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. European journal of immunology Blum, L. K., Cao, R. R., Sweatt, A. J., Bill, M., Lahey, L. J., Hsi, A. C., Lee, C. S., Kongpachith, S., Ju, C. H., Mao, R., Wong, H. H., Nicolls, M. R., Zamanian, R. T., Robinson, W. H. 2018

  Abstract

  Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a devastating pulmonary vascular disease in which autoimmune and inflammatory phenomena are implicated. B cells and autoantibodies have been associated with IPAH and identified as potential therapeutic targets. However, the specific populations of B cells involved and their roles in disease pathogenesis are not clearly defined. We aimed to assess the levels of activated B cells (plasmablasts) in IPAH, and to characterize recombinant antibodies derived from these plasmablasts. Blood plasmablasts are elevated in IPAH, remain elevated over time, and produce IgA autoantibodies. Single-cell sequencing of plasmablasts in IPAH revealed repertoires of affinity-matured antibodies with small clonal expansions, consistent with an ongoing autoimmune response. Recombinant antibodies representative of these clonal lineages bound known autoantigen targets and displayed an unexpectedly high degree of polyreactivity. Representative IPAH plasmablast recombinant antibodies stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells to produce cytokines and overexpress the adhesion molecule ICAM-1. Together, our results demonstrate an ongoing adaptive autoimmune response involving IgA plasmablasts that produce anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies in IPAH. These antibodies stimulate endothelial cell production of cytokines and adhesion molecules, which may contribute to disease pathogenesis. These findings suggest a role for mucosally-driven autoimmunity and autoimmune injury in the pathogenesis of IPAH. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  View details for PubMedID 29369345

• The Minimal Important Difference of the Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion in Scleroderma-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Khair, R., Mukherjee, M., Kolb, T. M., Damico, R. L., Hassoun, P. M., Zamanian, R. T., Tedford, R. J., Housten, T., Sato, T., Pullins, E., Zimmerman, S. L., Minai, O. A., Torres, F., Girgis, R., Chin, K. M., Mathai, S. C. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2018

  View details for Web of Science ID 000449978901553

• Frequency of Palliative Care Referrals in Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH): The Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry Gray, M. P., Wright, R., Khair, R. M., Badesch, D. B., Bartolome, S., Boyle, K., Bull, T. M., Chakinala, M. M., De Marco, T., Elwing, J. M., Feldman, J. P., Ford, H. J., Frantz, R. P., Grinnan, D. C., Grinnan, D., Klinger, J. R., Lammi, M. R., McConnell, J. W., Rosenzweig, E. B., Runo, J. R., Sager, J. S., Shlobin, O. A., Thenappan, T., Ventetuolo, C. E., White, R., Williamson, T. L., Zamanian, R. T., Mathai, S. C. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2018

  View details for Web of Science ID 000449978901547

• Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor 2 Expression Is Reduced in Blood Across Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Subtypes but Does Not Reflect Disease Severity Sweatt, A., Wells, R. E., Purington, N., Hedlin, H., Sudheendra, D., Hsi, A., Zamanian, R. T., Spiekerkoetter, E. F. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2018

  View details for Web of Science ID 000449978902257

• Low-Grade Albuminuria in Linked to Inflammation and Is Associated with Poor Outcome in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Nickel, N., Austin, E. D., Perez, V., Zamanian, R. T., West, J. D., de Caestecker, M., Yang, H. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2018

  View details for Web of Science ID 000449978902538

• Hospital Readmission Rate and Associated Survival for Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension at a Tertiary Academic Medical Center Kholdani, C., Lee, J., Hedlin, H., Hsi, A., Sweatt, A., Kudelko, K., Sung, Y. K., Perez, V., Spiekerkoetter, E. F., Liu, J. C., Zamanian, R. T. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2018

  View details for Web of Science ID 000449978902540

• Methamphetamine and the risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Current opinion in pulmonary medicine Ramirez, R. L., Perez, V. D., Zamanian, R. T. 2018

  Abstract

  Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug originally developed for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. At present, the epidemic rise of illicit methamphetamine use has increased the number of patients living with medical complications. Our group has recently identified a definite association between methamphetamine use and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a life-threatening disease characterized by occlusive vasculopathy and progressive right heart failure. This review will discuss the evidence that links methamphetamine with PAH and how to approach the diagnosis and management of methamphetamine-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (Meth-APAH) patients in clinic.Compared with idiopathic (I) PAH, Meth-APAH patients present with worse functional status, right ventricular dysfunction, and exercise tolerance. Despite therapy, the 5-year survival of Meth-APAH patients is significantly lower compared with IPAH. Genetic studies suggest that loss of function variants in genes involved in drug detoxification can increase susceptibility for methamphetamine-related vascular injury and trigger occlusive vasculopathy.PAH patients undergoing diagnostic evaluation should be screened for a history of current or past methamphetamine use. Pharmacovigilance should be implemented to monitor patients being treated with methamphetamine for neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). More studies will be needed to identify which susceptibility factors increase risk of PAH in methamphetamine users.

  View details for PubMedID 30036313

• EXPRESS: Non-invasive Right Ventricular Load Adaptability Indices in Patients with Scleroderma-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Pulmonary circulation French, S., Amsallem, M., Ouazani, N., Li, S., Kudelko, K., Zamanian, R., Haddad, F., Chung, L. 2018: 2045894018788268

  View details for PubMedID 29938590

• DRUG INDUCED PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION: A PRIMER FOR CLINICIANS AND SCIENTISTS. American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology Orcholski, M. E., Yuan, K., Rajasingh, C., Tsai, H., Shamskhou, E. A., Dhillon, N. K., Voelkel, N. F., Zamanian, R. T., de Jesus Perez, V. A. 2018

  Abstract

  Drug-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (D-PAH) is a form of World Health Organization (WHO) Group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH) defined by severe small vessel loss and obstructive vasculopathy, which leads to progressive right heart failure and death. To date, 16 different compounds have been associated with D-PAH, including anorexigens, recreational stimulants, and more recently, several Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications. While the clinical manifestation, pathology, and hemodynamic profile of D-PAH are indistinguishable from other forms of PAH, its clinical course can be unpredictable and to some degree dependent on removal of the offending agent. Since only a subset of individuals develop D-PAH, it is probable that genetic susceptibilities play a role in the pathogenesis, but the characterization of the genetic factors responsible for these susceptibilities remains rudimentary. Besides aggressive treatment with PH-specific therapies, the major challenge in the management of D-PAH remains the early identification of compounds capable of injuring the pulmonary circulation in susceptible individuals. The implementation of pharmacovigilance, precision medicine strategies, and global warning systems will help facilitate the identification of high-risk drugs and incentivize regulatory strategies to prevent further outbreaks of D-PAH. The goal for this review is to inform clinicians and scientists of the prevalence of D-PAH and to highlight the growing number of common drugs that have been associated with the disease.

  View details for PubMedID 29417823

• Sex-based differences in veterans with pulmonary hypertension: Results from the veterans affairs-clinical assessment reporting and tracking database PLOS ONE Ventetuolo, C. E., Hess, E., Austin, E. D., Baron, A. E., Klinger, J. R., Lahm, T., Maddox, T. M., Plomondon, M. E., Thompson, L., Zamanian, R. T., Choudhary, G., Maron, B. A. 2017; 12 (11): e0187734

  Abstract

  Women have an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension (PH) but better survival compared to men. Few studies have explored sex-based differences in population-based cohorts with PH. We sought to determine whether sex was associated with hemodynamics and survival in US veterans with PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] ≥ 25 mm Hg) from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking database. The relationship between sex and hemodynamics was assessed with multivariable linear mixed modeling. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare survival by sex for those with PH and precapillary PH (mPAP ≥ 25 mm Hg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure [PAWP] ≤ 15 mm Hg and pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR] > 3 Wood units) respectively. The study population included 15,464 veterans with PH, 516 (3%) of whom were women; 1,942 patients (13%) had precapillary PH, of whom 120 (6%) were women. Among those with PH, women had higher PVR and pulmonary artery pulse pressure, and lower right atrial pressure and PAWP (all p <0.001) compared with men. There were no significant differences in hemodynamics according to sex in veterans with precapillary PH. Women with PH had 18% greater survival compared to men with PH (adjusted HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69-0.97, p = 0.020). Similarly, women with precapillary PH were 29% more likely to survive as compared to men with PH (adjusted HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.98, p = 0.040). In conclusion, female veterans with PH have better survival than males despite higher pulmonary afterload.

  View details for PubMedID 29121097

• Identification of Biomarkers Predictive of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis Kolstad, K. D., Holmes, T., Rosenberg-Hasson, Y., Sweatt, A., Zamanian, R. T., Li, S., Steen, V. D., Utz, P. J., Chung, L. WILEY. 2017

  View details for Web of Science ID 000411824101041

• Rapidly Rising Burden of Portopulmonary Hypertension in the United States Rahim, U., Mannalithara, A., Kim, D., Zamanian, R., Kim, W. WILEY. 2017: 253A–254A

  View details for Web of Science ID 000412089800462

• Differential expression of hepatocyte growth factor in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS Sung, Y. K., Zamanian, R. T., Wagner, C. A., Robinson, W., Steen, V., Chung, L. 2017; 2 (3): 225–30

  View details for DOI 10.5301/jsrd.5000245

  View details for Web of Science ID 000412826600013

• Right Heart End-Systolic Remodeling Index Strongly Predicts Outcomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Comparison With Validated Models. Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging Amsallem, M., Sweatt, A. J., Aymami, M. C., Kuznetsova, T., Selej, M., Lu, H., Mercier, O., Fadel, E., Schnittger, I., McConnell, M. V., Rabinovitch, M., Zamanian, R. T., Haddad, F. 2017; 10 (6)

  Abstract

  Right ventricular (RV) end-systolic dimensions provide information on both size and function. We investigated whether an internally scaled index of end-systolic dimension is incremental to well-validated prognostic scores in pulmonary arterial hypertension.From 2005 to 2014, 228 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension were prospectively enrolled. RV end-systolic remodeling index (RVESRI) was defined by lateral length divided by septal height. The incremental values of RV free wall longitudinal strain and RVESRI to risk scores were determined. Mean age was 49±14 years, 78% were female, 33% had connective tissue disease, 52% were in New York Heart Association class ≥III, and mean pulmonary vascular resistance was 11.2±6.4 WU. RVESRI and right atrial area were strongly connected to the other right heart metrics. Three zones of adaptation (adapted, maladapted, and severely maladapted) were identified based on the RVESRI to RV systolic pressure relationship. During a mean follow-up of 3.9±2.4 years, the primary end point of death, transplant, or admission for heart failure was reached in 88 patients. RVESRI was incremental to risk prediction scores in pulmonary arterial hypertension, including the Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management score, the Pulmonary Hypertension Connection equation, and the Mayo Clinic model. Using multivariable analysis, New York Heart Association class III/IV, RVESRI, and log NT-proBNP (N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide) were retained (χ(2), 62.2; P<0.0001). Changes in RVESRI at 1 year (n=203) were predictive of outcome; patients initiated on prostanoid therapy showed the greatest improvement in RVESRI. Among right heart metrics, RVESRI demonstrated the best test-retest characteristics.RVESRI is a simple reproducible prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.116.005771

  View details for PubMedID 28592589

• Identification of Pulmonary Hypertension Caused by Left Heart Disease (World Health Organization Group 2) Based on Cardiac Chamber Volumes Derived from Chest CT. Chest Aviram, G., Rozenbaum, Z., Ziv-Baran, T., Berliner, S., Topilsky, Y., Fleischmann, D., Sung, Y. K., Zamanian, R. T., Guo, H. H. 2017

  Abstract

  Evaluations of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) commonly include chest computed tomography (CT). We hypothesized that cardiac chamber volumes calculated from the same CT scans can yield additional information to distinguish left heart disease-related PH (WHO Group 2) from other PH subtypes.Patients with right heart catheterization (RHC)-confirmed PH and contrast-enhanced chest CT studies were enrolled in this retrospective multicenter study. Cardiac chamber volumes were calculated using automated segmentation software and compared between Group 2 and non-Group 2 PH patients.This study included 114 PH patients, of whom 27 (24%) were classified as Group 2 based on their pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Group 2 PH patients exhibited significantly larger median left atrial (LA) volumes (118 vs. 63 mL, P < 0.001), larger median left ventricular (LV) volumes (90 vs. 76 mL, P = 0.02), and smaller median right ventricular (RV) volumes (173 vs. 210 mL, P = 0.005) than non-Group 2 patients. On multivariate analysis adjusted to age, gender, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure, Group 2 PH was significantly associated with larger median LA and LV volumes (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively), and decreased volume ratios of RA/LA, RV/LV and RV/LA (P = 0.001, P = 0.004, and P < 0.001, respectively). Enlarged LA volumes demonstrated high discriminatory ability for Group 2 PH (AUC=0.92; 95%CI, 0.870-0.968).Volumetric analysis of the cardiac chambers from non-gated chest CTs, particularly with findings of an enlarged LA, exhibited high discriminatory ability for identifying patients with PH due to left heart disease.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.chest.2017.04.184

  View details for PubMedID 28506612

• What's in a side effect? The association between pulmonary vasodilator adverse drug events and clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. International journal of cardiology Leary, P. J., Kang, S., Kolb, T. M., Maron, B. A., Ralph, D. D., Rao, Y., Tedford, R. J., Zamanian, R. T. 2017

  Abstract

  Adverse drug events (ADEs) with pulmonary vasodilator use in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are common. ADEs may contribute to worse quality of life; however, their relationship to prognosis is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether common ADEs after initiating subcutaneous treprostinil were associated with prognosis in PAH.We assembled a retrospective cohort of participants from four clinical trials of treprostinil for PAH, including 908 participants who received subcutaneous treprostinil and 243 who received placebo at the time ADEs were ascertained. The occurrences of four common early ADEs (infusion reactions, headaches, jaw pain, or gastrointestinal side effects) were assessed during the eight weeks after starting the infusion. We used Cox proportional hazards to estimate associations between ADEs and mortality.No ADEs related to placebo were associated with mortality. In participants who received treprostinil, infusion reactions, headaches, and jaw pain were not associated with mortality. Gastrointestinal side effects occurring during the first eight weeks following treprostinil infusion were associated with a 57% increase in the hazard of mortality (95% CI: 14-118%). This relationship was unchanged after adjusting for demographic differences and differences in baseline PAH severity.Gastrointestinal ADEs after starting subcutaneous treprostinil were associated with an increased risk for mortality. Increased mortality was not observed with other early ADEs or with gastrointestinal symptoms in participants who were not receiving treprostinil at the time. This hypothesis-generating association suggests ADEs may identify different phenotypes in PAH.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.04.016

  View details for PubMedID 28412029

• Left Atrium Maximal Axial Cross-Sectional Area is a Specific Computed Tomographic Imaging Biomarker of World Health Organization Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension. Journal of thoracic imaging Jivraj, K., Bedayat, A., Sung, Y. K., Zamanian, R. T., Haddad, F., Leung, A. N., Rosenberg, J., Guo, H. H. 2017; 32 (2): 121-126

  Abstract

  Left heart disease is associated with left atrial enlargement and is a common cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH). We investigated the relationship between left atrium maximal axial cross-sectional area (LA-MACSA), as measured on chest computed tomography (CT), and PH due to left heart disease (World Health Organization group 2) in patients with right heart catheterization-proven PH.A total of 165 patients with PH who had undergone right heart catheterization with pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) measurements and nongated chest CTs were included. LA-MACSA, LA anterior-posterior, and LA transverse measurements were independently obtained using the hand-drawn region-of-interest and distance measurement tools on standard PACS by 2 blinded cardiothoracic radiologists. Nonparametric statistical analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve were performed.Forty-three patients had group 2 PH (PCWP>15 mm Hg), and 122 had nongroup 2 PH (PCWP≤15 mm Hg). Median LA-MACSA was significantly different between the group 2 PH and nongroup 2 PH patients (2312 vs. 1762 mm, P<0.001). Interobserver concordance correlation for LA-MACSA was high at 0.91 (P<0.001). At a threshold of 2400 mm, LA-MACSA demonstrated 93% specificity for classifying group 2 PH (area under the curve, 0.73; P<0.001).LA-MACSA is a readily obtainable and reproducible measurement of left atrial enlargement on CT and can distinguish between group 2 and nongroup 2 PH with high specificity.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/RTI.0000000000000252

  View details for PubMedID 28009778

• Investigating the value of right heart echocardiographic metrics for detection of pulmonary hypertension in patients with advanced lung disease. The international journal of cardiovascular imaging Amsallem, M., Boulate, D., Kooreman, Z., Zamanian, R. T., Fadel, G., Schnittger, I., Fadel, E., McConnell, M. V., Dhillon, G., Mercier, O., Haddad, F. 2017

  Abstract

  This study determined whether novel right heart echocardiography metrics help to detect pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with advanced lung disease (ALD). We reviewed echocardiography and catheterization data of 192 patients from the Stanford ALD registry and echocardiograms of 50 healthy controls. Accuracy of echocardiographic right heart metrics to detect PH was assessed using logistic regression and area under the ROC curves (AUC) analysis. Patients were divided into a derivation (n = 92) and validation cohort (n = 100). Experimental validation was assessed in a piglet model of mild PH followed longitudinally. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was not interpretable in 52% of patients. In the derivation cohort, right atrial maximal volume index (RAVI), ventricular end-systolic area index (RVESAI), free-wall longitudinal strain and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) differentiated patients with and without PH; 20% of patients without PH had moderate to severe RV enlargement by RVESAI. On multivariate analysis, RAVI and TAPSE were independently associated with PH (AUC = 0.77, p < 0.001), which was confirmed in the validation cohort (0.78, p < 0.001). Presence of right heart metrics abnormalities did not improve detection of PH in patients with interpretable TR (p > 0.05) and provided moderate detection value in patients without TR. Only two patients with more severe PH (mean pulmonary pressure 35 and 36 mmHg) were missed. The animal model confirmed that right heart enlargement discriminated best pigs with PH from shams. This study highlights the frequency of right heart enlargement and dysfunction in ALD irrespectively from presence of PH, therefore limiting their use for detection of PH.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10554-017-1069-3

  View details for PubMedID 28120156

• Upregulation of HERV-K is Linked to Immunity and Inflammation in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Circulation Saito, T., Miyagawa, K., Chen, S. Y., Tamosiuniene, R., Wang, L., Sharp, O., Samayoa, E., Harada, D., Moonen, J. A., Cao, A., Chen, P. I., Hennigs, J. K., Gu, M., Li, C. G., Leib, R. D., Li, D., Adams, C. M., Del Rosario, P. A., Bill, M. A., Haddad, F., Montoya, J. G., Robinson, W., Fantl, W. J., Nolan, G. P., Zamanian, R. T., Nicolls, M. R., Chiu, C. Y., Ariza, M. E., Rabinovitch, M. 2017

  Abstract

  Background -Immune dysregulation has been linked to occlusive vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that is hereditary, idiopathic or associated with other conditions. Circulating autoantibodies, lung perivascular lymphoid tissue and elevated cytokines have been related to PAH pathogenesis but without clear understanding of how these abnormalities are initiated, perpetuated and connected in the progression of disease. We therefore set out to identify specific target antigens in PAH lung immune complexes as a starting point toward resolving these issues to better inform future application of immunomodulatory therapies. Methods -Lung immune complexes were isolated and PAH target antigens were identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS), confirmed by ELISA, and localized by confocal microscopy. One PAH antigen linked to immunity and inflammation was pursued and a link to PAH pathophysiology was investigated by next generation sequencing, functional studies in cultured monocytes and endothelial cells (EC) and hemodynamic and lung studies in a rat. Results -SAM domain and HD1 domain-containing protein (SAMHD1), an innate immune factor that suppresses HIV replication was identified and confirmed as highly expressed in immune complexes from 16 hereditary and idiopathic PAH vs. 12 control lungs. Elevated SAMHD1 was localized to endothelial cells (EC), perivascular dendritic cells and macrophages and SAMHD1 antibodies were prevalent in tertiary lymphoid tissue. An unbiased screen using metagenomic sequencing related SAMHD1 to increased expression of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) in PAH vs. control lungs (n=4 each). HERV-K envelope and deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) mRNAs were elevated in PAH vs. control lungs (n=10) and proteins were localized to macrophages. HERV-K dUTPase induced SAMHD1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL6, IL1β and TNFα) in circulating monocytes and pulmonary arterial (PA) EC, and activated B cells. Vulnerability of PAEC to apoptosis was increased by HERV-K dUTPase in an IL6 independent manner. Furthermore, three weekly injections of HERV-K dUTPase induced hemodynamic and vascular changes of pulmonary hypertension in rats (n=8), and elevated IL6. Conclusions -Our study reveals that upregulation of the endogenous retrovirus HERV-K could both initiate and sustain activation of the immune system and cause vascular changes associated with PAH.

  View details for PubMedID 28935667

• Utility of B-type natriuretic peptides in the assessment of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary hypertension in the PHAROS registry CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY Chung, L., Fairchild, R. M., Furst, D. E., Li, S., Alkassab, F., Bolster, M. B., Csuka, M. E., Derk, C. T., Domsic, R. T., Fischer, A., Frech, T. M., Gomberg-Maitland, M., Gordon, J. K., Hinchcliff, M., Hsu, V., Hummers, L. K., Khanna, D., Medsger, T. A., Molitor, J. A., Preston, I. R., Schiopu, E., Shapiro, L., Hant, F., Silver, R., Simms, R., Varga, J., Steen, V. D., Zamanian, R. T. 2017; 35 (4): S106–S113

  View details for Web of Science ID 000418419000015

• Load Adaptability in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Am J Cardiol Amsallem, M., et al 2017: 874–82

  Abstract

  Right ventricular (RV) adaptation to pressure overload is a major prognostic factor in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The objectives were first to define the relation between RV adaptation and load using allometric modeling, then to compare the prognostic value of different indices of load adaptability in PAH. Both a derivation (n = 85) and a validation cohort (n = 200) were included. Load adaptability was assessed using 3 approaches: (1) surrogates of ventriculo-arterial coupling (e.g., RV area change/end-systolic area), (2) simple ratio of function and load (e.g., tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/right ventricular systolic pressure), and (3) indices assessing the proportionality of adaptation using allometric pressure-function or size modeling. Proportional hazard modeling was used to compare the hazard ratio for the outcome of death or lung transplantation. The mean age of the derivation cohort was 44 ± 11 years, with 80% female and 74% in New York Heart Association class III or IV. Mean pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) was 24 ± 11 with a wide distribution (1.6 to 57.5 WU/m2). Allometric relations were observed between PVRI and RV fractional area change (R2 = 0.53, p < 0.001) and RV end-systolic area indexed to body surface area right ventricular end-systolic area index (RVESAI) (R2 = 0.29, p < 0.001), allowing the derivation of simple ratiometric load-specific indices of RV adaptation. In right heart parameters, RVESAI was the strongest predictor of outcomes (hazard ratio per SD = 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.37 to 2.75, p < 0.001). Although RVESAI/PVRI0.35 provided small incremental discrimination on multivariate modeling, none of the load-adaptability indices provided stronger discrimination of outcome than simple RV adaptation metrics in either the derivation or the validation cohort. In conclusion, allometric modeling enables quantification of the proportionality of RV load adaptation but offers small incremental prognostic value to RV end-systolic dimension in PAH.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.amjcard.2017.05.053

• Kidney dysfunction in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension PULMONARY CIRCULATION Nickel, N. P., O'Leary, J. M., Brittain, E. L., Fessel, J. P., Zamanian, R. T., West, J. D., Austin, E. D. 2017; 7 (1): 38-54

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) both profoundly impact patient outcomes, whether as primary disease states or as co-morbid conditions. PH is a common co-morbidity in CKD and vice versa. A growing body of literature describes the epidemiology of PH secondary to chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (WHO group 5 PH). But, there are only limited data on the epidemiology of kidney disease in group 1 PH (pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH]). The purpose of this review is to summarize the current data on epidemiology and discuss potential disease mechanisms and management implications of kidney dysfunction in PAH. Kidney dysfunction, determined by serum creatinine or estimated glomerular filtration rate, is a frequent co-morbidity in PAH and impaired kidney function is a strong and independent predictor of mortality. Potential mechanisms of PAH affecting the kidneys are increased venous congestion, decreased cardiac output, and neurohormonal activation. On a molecular level, increased TGF-β signaling and increased levels of circulating cytokines could have the potential to worsen kidney function. Nephrotoxicity does not seem to be a common side effect of PAH-targeted therapy. Treatment implications for kidney disease in PAH include glycemic control, lifestyle modification, and potentially Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) blockade.

  View details for DOI 10.1086/690018

  View details for Web of Science ID 000399052900004

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5448543

• Addressing the Controversy of Estimating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure by Echocardiography JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY Amsallem, M., Sternbach, J. M., Adigopula, S., Kobayashi, Y., Vu, T. A., Zamanian, R., Liang, D., Dhillon, G., Schnittger, I., McConnell, M. V., Haddad, F. 2016; 29 (2): 93-102

  Abstract

  There is currently controversy over whether echocardiography provides reliable estimations of pulmonary pressures. The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing the accuracy and reliability of estimating right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) using echocardiography in patients with advanced lung disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension.Between January 2001 and December 2012, 667 patients with advanced lung disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension underwent right heart catheterization and transthoracic echocardiography. Of those, 307 had both studies within 5 days of each other. The correlation and bias in estimating RVSP according to tricuspid regurgitation (TR) signal quality and reader expertise were retrospectively determined. Reasons for under- and overestimation were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of estimated RVSP, relative right ventricular size, eccentricity index, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion was compared for classifying patients with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg).Invasive mean and systolic pulmonary artery pressures were strongly correlated (R(2) = 0.95, P < .001), with mean pulmonary artery pressure = 0.60 × systolic pulmonary artery pressure + 2.1 mm Hg. Among patients undergoing right heart catheterization and transthoracic echocardiography within 5 days, level 3 readers considered only 61% of TR signals interpretable, compared with 72% in clinical reports. Overestimation in the clinical report was related mainly to not assigning peak TR velocity at the modal frequency and underestimation to overreading of uninterpretable signals. When the TR signal was interpretable, the areas under the curve for classifying pulmonary hypertension were 0.97 for RVSP and 0.98 for RVSP and eccentricity index (P > .05). When TR signals were uninterpretable, eccentricity index and right ventricular size were independently associated with pulmonary hypertension (area under the curve, 0.77).Echocardiography reliably estimates RVSP when attention is given to simple quality metrics.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.echo.2015.11.001

  View details for Web of Science ID 000369168700003

• Prognostic utility of right atrial emptying fractions in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary circulation Brunner, N. W., Haddad, F., Kobayashi, Y., Hsi, A., Swiston, J. R., Gin, K. G., Zamanian, R. T. 2015; 5 (3): 473-480

  Abstract

  Although left atrial function has been extensively studied in patients with heart failure, the determinants and clinical correlates of impaired right atrial (RA) function have been poorly studied. We investigated measures of RA function in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We identified all treatment-naive patients with World Health Organization category 1 PAH seen at our center during 2000-2011 who had right heart catheterization and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) within 1 month of initial echocardiographic examination. Atrial size was measured using the monoplane area-length method, and atrial function was quantified using total, passive, and active RA emptying fractions (RAEFs). We compared measures of RAEF with known prognostic clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic parameters. For the subset of patients with follow-up echocardiographic examination/6MWT within 6-18 months, we investigated the change in RAEF. In an exploratory analysis, we investigated the association between RAEF and mortality. Our population consisted of 39 patients with treatment-naive (incident) PAH, 30 of whom had follow-up testing. The mean total, passive, and active RAEFs were 24.4% ± 15.1%, 8.5% ± 6.9%, and 17.6% ± 13.9%, respectively. Total and active RAEFs correlated with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P = 0.004 and P = 0.005) and cardiac output (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01). The change in active RAEF correlated with change in 6-minute walk distance (P = 0.02). In our Cox regression analysis, low active and total RAEF were associated with mortality, with hazard ratios of 5.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-26.2; P = 0.03) and 4.2 (95% CI, 1.1-15.5; P = 0.03), respectively. Passive RAEF was poorly reproducible and not associated with outcome. Measures of RAEF appear to have prognostic importance in PAH and warrant further study.

  View details for DOI 10.1086/682218

  View details for PubMedID 26401248

• Optical Coherence Tomography of Pulmonary Arterial Walls in Humans and Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). Comparative medicine Brunner, N. W., Zamanian, R. T., Ikeno, F., Mitsutake, Y., Connolly, A. J., Shuffle, E., Yuan, K., Orcholski, M., Lyons, J., de Jesus Perez, V. A. 2015; 65 (3): 217-224

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disorder characterized by progressive elevation of the pulmonary pressures that, in the absence of therapy, results in chronic right-heart failure and premature death. The vascular pathology of PAH is characterized by progressive loss of small (diameter, less than 50 μm) peripheral pulmonary arteries along with abnormal medial thickening, neointimal formation, and intraluminal narrowing of the remaining pulmonary arteries. Vascular pathology correlates with disease severity, given that hemodynamic effects and disease outcomes are worse in patients with advanced compared with lower-grade lesions. Novel imaging tools are urgently needed that demonstrate the extent of vascular remodeling in PAH patients during diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a catheter-based intravascular imaging technique used to obtain high-resolution 2D and 3D cross-sectional images of coronary arteries, thus revealing the extent of vascular wall pathology due to diseases such as atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis; its utility as a diagnostic tool in the assessment of the pulmonary circulation is unknown. Here we show that OCT provides high-definition images that capture the morphology of pulmonary arterial walls in explanted human lungs and during pulmonary arterial catheterization of an adult pig. We conclude that OCT may facilitate the evaluation of patients with PAH by disclosing the degree of wall remodeling present in pulmonary vessels. Future studies are warranted to determine whether this information complements the hemodynamic and functional assessments routinely performed in PAH patients, facilitates treatment selection, and improves estimates of prognosis and outcome.

  View details for PubMedID 26141446

• Septal curvature is marker of hemodynamic, anatomical, and electromechanical ventricular interdependence in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Haddad, F., Guihaire, J., Skhiri, M., Denault, A. Y., Mercier, O., Al-Halabi, S., Vrtovec, B., Fadel, E., Zamanian, R. T., Schnittger, I. 2014; 31 (6): 699-707

  Abstract

  The objective of this study was to determine the factors independently associated with septal curvature in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Eighty-five consecutive patients with PAH who had an echocardiogram and a right heart catheterization within 24 hours of each others were included in the study. Septal curvature was assessed at the mid-papillary level using the eccentricity index (EI). Marked early systolic septal anterior motion was defined as a change in EI > 0.2 between end-diastole and early systole. Inter-ventricular mechanical delay was calculated as the percent time difference between right ventricular (RV) to left ventricular (LV) end-ejection time normalized for the RR interval.Average age was 45 ± 11 years and the majority of patients were women (75%). Mean right atrial pressure was 11 ± 7 mmHg, mean PAP was 52 ± 13 mmHg, relative RV area 1.8 ± 0.9, and RV fractional area change 24 ± 8%. End-diastolic EI was 1.6 ± 0.4 and systolic EI was 2.5 ± 0.8. On multivariate analysis relative pulmonary pressure, relative RV area, and inter-ventricular mechanical delay were independently associated with systolic EI (R(2)  = 0.72, P < 0.001). Independent determinants of diastolic EI included relative RV area and mean PAP (R(2)  = 0.69, P < 0.001). A systolic EI >1.08 differentiated patients with PAH from healthy controls with an AUC = 0.99. Patients with early systolic septal anterior motion (44% of subjects) had lower exercise capacity, more extensive ventricular remodeling, and worst ventricular function.Septal curvature is a useful marker of structural, hemodynamic, and electromechanical ventricular interdependence in PAH.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/echo.12468

  View details for PubMedID 24372843

• Erythropoietin upregulation in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary circulation Karamanian, V. A., Harhay, M., Grant, G. R., Palevsky, H. I., Grizzle, W. E., Zamanian, R. T., Ihida-Stansbury, K., Taichman, D. B., Kawut, S. M., Jones, P. L. 2014; 4 (2): 269-279

  Abstract

  The pathophysiologic alterations of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are diverse. We aimed to determine novel pathogenic pathways from circulating proteins in patients with PAH. Multianalyte profiling (MAP) was used to measure 90 specifically selected antigens in the plasma of 113 PAH patients and 51 control patients. Erythropoietin (EPO) functional activity was assessed via in vitro pulmonary artery endothelial cell networking and smooth muscle cell proliferation assays. Fifty-eight patients had idiopathic PAH, whereas 55 had other forms of PAH; 5 had heritable PAH, 18 had connective tissue disease (15 with scleroderma and 3 with lupus erythematosis), 13 had portopulmonary hypertension, 6 had PAH associated with drugs or toxins, and 5 had congenital heart disease. The plasma-antigen profile of PAH revealed increased levels of several novel biomarkers, including EPO. Immune quantitative and histochemical studies revealed that EPO not only was significantly elevated in the plasma of PAH patients but also promoted pulmonary artery endothelial cell network formation and smooth muscle cell proliferation. MAP is a hypothesis-generating approach to identifying novel pathophysiologic pathways in PAH. EPO is upregulated in the circulation and lungs of patients with PAH and may affect endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation.

  View details for DOI 10.1086/675990

  View details for PubMedID 25006446

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4070770

• Erythropoietin upregulation in pulmonary arterial hypertension PULMONARY CIRCULATION Karamanian, V. A., Harhay, M., Grant, G. R., Palevsky, H. I., Grizzle, W. E., Zamanian, R. T., Ihida-Stansbury, K., Taichman, D. B., Kawut, S. M., Jones, P. L. 2014; 4 (2): 269-279

  Abstract

  The pathophysiologic alterations of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are diverse. We aimed to determine novel pathogenic pathways from circulating proteins in patients with PAH. Multianalyte profiling (MAP) was used to measure 90 specifically selected antigens in the plasma of 113 PAH patients and 51 control patients. Erythropoietin (EPO) functional activity was assessed via in vitro pulmonary artery endothelial cell networking and smooth muscle cell proliferation assays. Fifty-eight patients had idiopathic PAH, whereas 55 had other forms of PAH; 5 had heritable PAH, 18 had connective tissue disease (15 with scleroderma and 3 with lupus erythematosis), 13 had portopulmonary hypertension, 6 had PAH associated with drugs or toxins, and 5 had congenital heart disease. The plasma-antigen profile of PAH revealed increased levels of several novel biomarkers, including EPO. Immune quantitative and histochemical studies revealed that EPO not only was significantly elevated in the plasma of PAH patients but also promoted pulmonary artery endothelial cell network formation and smooth muscle cell proliferation. MAP is a hypothesis-generating approach to identifying novel pathophysiologic pathways in PAH. EPO is upregulated in the circulation and lungs of patients with PAH and may affect endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation.

  View details for DOI 10.1086/675990

  View details for Web of Science ID 000209982200015

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4070770

• Response to letter regarding article, "transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: improvement in the lung allocation score era". Circulation Schaffer, J. M., Singh, S. K., Joyce, D. L., Reitz, B. A., Robbins, R. C., Zamanian, R. T., Mallidi, H. R. 2014; 129 (16)

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.007272

  View details for PubMedID 24753555

• Relationship between Echocardiographic and Magnetic Resonance Derived Measures of Right Ventricular Size and Function in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography Shiran, H., Zamanian, R. T., McConnell, M. V., Liang, D. H., Dash, R., Heidary, S., Sudini, N. L., Wu, J. C., Haddad, F., Yang, P. C. 2014; 27 (4): 405-412

  Abstract

  Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) imaging is the mainstay of clinical practice for evaluating right ventricular (RV) size and function, but its accuracy in patients with pulmonary hypertension has not been well validated.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TTE images were retrospectively reviewed in 40 consecutive patients with pulmonary hypertension. RV and left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions were calculated using MRI. TTE areas and indices of RV ejection fraction (RVEF) were compared.The average age was 42 ± 12 years, with a majority of women (85%). There was a wide range of mean pulmonary arterial pressures (27-81 mm Hg) and RV end-diastolic volumes (111-576 mL), RVEFs (8%-67 %), and left ventricular ejection fractions (26%-72%) by MRI. There was a strong association between TTE and MRI-derived parameters: RV end-diastolic area (by TTE imaging) and RV end-diastolic volume (by MRI), R(2) = 0.78 (P < .001); RV fractional area change by TTE imaging and RVEF by MRI, R(2) = 0.76 (P < .001); and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion by TTE imaging and RVEF by MRI, R(2) = 0.64 (P < .001). By receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, an RV fractional area change < 25% provided excellent discrimination of moderate systolic dysfunction (RVEF < 35%), with an area under the curve of 0.97 (P < .001). An RV end-diastolic area index of 18 cm(2)/m(2) provided excellent discrimination for moderate RV enlargement (area under the curve, 0.89; P < .001).Echocardiographic estimates of RV volume (by RV end-diastolic area) and function (by RV fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) offer good approximations of RV size and function in patients with pulmonary hypertension and allow the accurate discrimination of normal from abnormal.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.echo.2013.12.011

  View details for PubMedID 24444659

• A case of recurrent pericardial constriction presenting with severe pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary circulation Brunner, N. W., Ramachandran, K., Kudelko, K. T., Sung, Y. K., Spiekerkoetter, E., Yang, P. C., Zamanian, R. T., Perez, V. d. 2013; 3 (2): 436-439

  Abstract

  Chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a relatively rare condition in which the pericardium becomes fibrotic and noncompliant, eventually resulting in heart failure due to impaired ventricular filling. The only curative treatment is pericardiectomy. Classically, CP does not usually cause severe pulmonary hypertension. When attempting to differentiate CP from restrictive cardiomyopathy, the presence of severely elevated pulmonary arterial pressure is used as a diagnostic criterion ruling against CP. We present a case of proven recurrent pericardial constriction following pericardiectomy presenting with severe pulmonary hypertension.

  View details for DOI 10.4103/2045-8932.114780

  View details for PubMedID 24015347

• Circulating angiogenic modulatory factors predict survival and functional class in pulmonary arterial hypertension PULMONARY CIRCULATION Malhotra, R., Paskin-Flerlage, S., Zamanian, R. T., Zimmerman, P., Schmidt, J. W., Deng, D. Y., Southwood, M., Spencer, R., Lai, C. S., Parker, W., Channick, R. N., Morrell, N. W., Elliott, G., Yu, P. B. 2013; 3 (2): 369-380

  Abstract

  The diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is frequently delayed. We hypothesized that circulating angiogenic modulatory protein levels might correspond with vascular remodeling activity and serve as sensitive biomarkers of PAH. Levels of soluble endoglin (sEng), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR1), N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and other biomarkers were measured in peripheral blood from 97 PAH patients, 16 first-degree relatives of idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) patients, and 56 controls, and correlated with disease, functional class, hemodynamic parameters, exercise capacity, and transplant-free survival. Endoglin expression was analyzed in lung tissues of six individuals with idiopathic or HPAH and four individuals without PAH. Levels of sEng, sVEGFR1, CRP, and NT-proBNP were elevated in Group I PAH of diverse etiologies, with sEng performing better than NT-proBNP in detecting PAH (receiver operator characteristic-area-under-the curve [ROC-AUC] of 0.82 ± 0.03 vs. 0.71 ± 0.05, P = 0.016). While sEng, sVEGFR1, and NT-proBNP correlated with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, sEng levels were more sensitive than NT-proBNP in detecting NYHA Class I-II disease (ROC-AUC of 0.88 ± 0.05 vs. 0.67 ± 0.08, P = 0.028). sEng, sVEGFR1, CRP, and NT-proBNP predicted transplant-free survival by univariate Cox regression. After adjusting for NT-proBNP levels, each of the other three markers predicted transplant-free survival. In multivariate analysis, sEng and CRP were independent predictors of survival. Endoglin expression was markedly enhanced in the microvascular endothelium and endovascular lesions of PAH versus control lung tissues. Circulating angiogenic proteins sEng and sVEGFR1 are sensitive markers of prognosis and function in Group I PAH, including mildly symptomatic disease, and may provide unique noninvasive data reflecting underlying remodeling activity.

  View details for DOI 10.4103/2045-8932.110445

  View details for Web of Science ID 000209981500011

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3757832

• Circulating angiogenic modulatory factors predict survival and functional class in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary circulation Malhotra, R., Paskin-Flerlage, S., Zamanian, R. T., Zimmerman, P., Schmidt, J. W., Deng, D. Y., Southwood, M., Spencer, R., Lai, C. S., Parker, W., Channick, R. N., Morrell, N. W., Elliott, C. G., Yu, P. B. 2013; 3 (2): 369-380

  Abstract

  The diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is frequently delayed. We hypothesized that circulating angiogenic modulatory protein levels might correspond with vascular remodeling activity and serve as sensitive biomarkers of PAH. Levels of soluble endoglin (sEng), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR1), N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and other biomarkers were measured in peripheral blood from 97 PAH patients, 16 first-degree relatives of idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) patients, and 56 controls, and correlated with disease, functional class, hemodynamic parameters, exercise capacity, and transplant-free survival. Endoglin expression was analyzed in lung tissues of six individuals with idiopathic or HPAH and four individuals without PAH. Levels of sEng, sVEGFR1, CRP, and NT-proBNP were elevated in Group I PAH of diverse etiologies, with sEng performing better than NT-proBNP in detecting PAH (receiver operator characteristic-area-under-the curve [ROC-AUC] of 0.82 ± 0.03 vs. 0.71 ± 0.05, P = 0.016). While sEng, sVEGFR1, and NT-proBNP correlated with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, sEng levels were more sensitive than NT-proBNP in detecting NYHA Class I-II disease (ROC-AUC of 0.88 ± 0.05 vs. 0.67 ± 0.08, P = 0.028). sEng, sVEGFR1, CRP, and NT-proBNP predicted transplant-free survival by univariate Cox regression. After adjusting for NT-proBNP levels, each of the other three markers predicted transplant-free survival. In multivariate analysis, sEng and CRP were independent predictors of survival. Endoglin expression was markedly enhanced in the microvascular endothelium and endovascular lesions of PAH versus control lung tissues. Circulating angiogenic proteins sEng and sVEGFR1 are sensitive markers of prognosis and function in Group I PAH, including mildly symptomatic disease, and may provide unique noninvasive data reflecting underlying remodeling activity.

  View details for DOI 10.4103/2045-8932.110445

  View details for PubMedID 24015338

• A case of recurrent pericardial constriction presenting with severe pulmonary hypertension PULMONARY CIRCULATION Brunner, N. W., Ramachandran, K., Kudelko, K. T., Sung, Y. K., Spiekerkoetter, E., Yang, P. C., Zamanian, R. T., Perez, V. d. 2013; 3 (2): 436-439

  Abstract

  Chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a relatively rare condition in which the pericardium becomes fibrotic and noncompliant, eventually resulting in heart failure due to impaired ventricular filling. The only curative treatment is pericardiectomy. Classically, CP does not usually cause severe pulmonary hypertension. When attempting to differentiate CP from restrictive cardiomyopathy, the presence of severely elevated pulmonary arterial pressure is used as a diagnostic criterion ruling against CP. We present a case of proven recurrent pericardial constriction following pericardiectomy presenting with severe pulmonary hypertension.

  View details for DOI 10.4103/2045-8932.114780

  View details for Web of Science ID 000209981500020

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3757841

• RIGHT ATRIAL EMPTYING FRACTIONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SURVIVAL IN PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION 62nd Annual Scientific Session of the American-College-of-Cardiology Brunner, N. W., Haddad, F., Swiston, J. R., Gin, K., Tsang, T. S., Zamanian, R. T. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2013: E896–E896

  View details for Web of Science ID 000316555201001

• IMPROVEMENT IN RIGHT ATRIAL FUNCTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVED FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION 62nd Annual Scientific Session of the American-College-of-Cardiology Brunner, N. W., Haddad, F., Swiston, J. R., Gin, K., Tsang, T. S., Zamanian, R. T. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2013: E1246–E1246

  View details for Web of Science ID 000316555201351

• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: New Insights Into the Optimal Role of Current and Emerging Prostacyclin Therapies AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY Waxman, A. B., Zamanian, R. T. 2013; 111 (5): 1A-16A

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is a subset of pulmonary hypertension, is a group of diseases distinguished by vascular remodeling of the small pulmonary arteries with associated elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular failure. This progressive and sometimes fatal disease occurs as an idiopathic disease or as a component of other disease states. Estimates of the incidence of PAH have varied from 5 to 52 cases/1 million population. Symptoms begin with shortness of breath with exertion and progress to dyspnea with normal activities and, finally, dyspnea at rest. Untreated patients with PAH have a 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate of 68%, 48%, and 34%, respectively. Treated, the survival rates improve to 91% to 97% after 1 year and 84% to 91% after 2 years. The current definition of PAH consists of 3 specific hemodynamic assessments confirmed by right heart catheterization findings. One of several important pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in PAH is pulmonary vascular remodeling, which is caused by endothelial and smooth muscle cell hyperproliferation. This is coincident with overexpression of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 and a reduction in the vasodilators nitric oxide and prostacyclin, which further impedes proper vasomotor tone, among other effects. Prostacyclin therapies augment the decreased prostacyclin levels in patients with PAH. The currently approved prostacyclins for the treatment of PAH include epoprostenol, iloprost, and treprostinil. Among the 3 medications, the delivery options include intravenous infusion, subcutaneous infusion, and inhaled formulations. Epoprostenol has been shown to have a positive effect on survival in patients with PAH. All prostacyclins have demonstrated improvements in functional class, exercise tolerance, and hemodynamics in patients with PAH. Intravenously and subcutaneously administered formulations of prostacyclins require continuous infusion pump administration, which presents clinical challenges for both the patient and the care provider. Dosing must be individualized and also presents a clinical challenge. Inhaled formulations seem efficacious in moderately symptomatic patients with PAH and might be appropriate when combined with an oral medication. Combination therapies are commonly used in clinical practice, with the decision to do so based on randomized controlled trial data and case study evidence. The present report provides an overview of PAH, the scientific rationale for treatment with prostacyclin therapy, and the benefits and risks of prostacyclin therapy, both as monotherapy and combined with other medications approved for the treatment of PAH.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.12.002

  View details for Web of Science ID 000315666900001

  View details for PubMedID 23414683

• A preliminary study investigating the quantification of beat-to-beat in seismocardiogram signals. Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference Inan, O. T., Pandia, K., Giovangrandi, L., Zamanian, R. T., Kovacs, G. T. 2013; 2013: 7286-7289

  Abstract

  Ballistocardiography and seismocardiography are both non-invasive mechanical measurements of the vibrations of the body in response to the heartbeat. The ballistocardiogram (BCG) signal represents the movements of the whole body in response to cardiac ejection of blood into the vasculature; the seismocardiogram (SCG) corresponds to local vibrations of the chest wall associated with sub-audible tissue and blood movement and audio frequency heart-valve closure dynamics. This paper focuses on methods for quantifying "signal consistency"--a quantitative measure of how morphologically similar each heartbeat in a patient's recording is compared to the ensemble average taken over the recording. Before comparing each beat to the average, known physiological sources of inconsistency--such as respiratory amplitude and timing variability--are removed, then the remaining inconsistency is quantified. Previously described methods for BCG signals are expanded to fit the high-frequency (> 20 Hz) components of the SCG. The use of this method in future work could help enable proactive management of heart disease in extra-clinical settings.

  View details for DOI 10.1109/EMBC.2013.6611240

  View details for PubMedID 24111427

• Safety and efficacy of transition from systemic prostanoids to inhaled treprostinil in pulmonary arterial hypertension. American journal of cardiology de Jesus Perez, V. A., Rosenzweig, E., Rubin, L. J., Poch, D., Bajwa, A., Park, M., Jain, M., Bourge, R. C., Kudelko, K., Spiekerkoetter, E., Liu, J., Hsi, A., Zamanian, R. T. 2012; 110 (10): 1546-1550

  Abstract

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by increased pulmonary pressures and chronic right heart failure. Therapies for moderate and severe PAH include subcutaneous (SQ) and intravenous (IV) prostanoids that improve symptoms and quality of life. However, treatment compliance can be limited by severe side effects and complications related to methods of drug administration. Inhaled prostanoids, which offer the advantage of direct delivery of the drug to the pulmonary circulation without need for invasive approaches, may serve as an alternative for patients unable to tolerate SQ/IV therapy. In this retrospective cohort study we collected clinical, hemodynamic, and functional data from 18 clinically stable patients with World Health Organization group I PAH seen in 6 large national PAH centers before and after transitioning to inhaled treprostinil from IV/SQ prostanoids. Before transition 15 patients had been receiving IV or SQ treprostinil (mean dose 73 ng/kg/min) and 3 patients had been on IV epoprostenol (mean dose 10 ng/kg/min) for an average duration of 113 ± 80 months. Although most patients who transitioned to inhaled treprostinil demonstrated no statistically significant worsening of hemodynamics or 6-minute walk distance, a minority demonstrated worsening of New York Heart Association functional class over a 7-month period. In conclusion, although transition of patients from IV/SQ prostanoids to inhaled treprostinil appears to be well tolerated in clinically stable patients, they should remain closely monitored for signs of clinical decompensation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.amjcard.2012.07.012

  View details for PubMedID 22853986

• Airway Management and Perioperative Decision Making in the Patient With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension Who Requires Emergency Noncardiac Surgery JOURNAL OF CARDIOTHORACIC AND VASCULAR ANESTHESIA Maxwell, B. G., Pearl, R. G., Kudelko, K. T., Zamanian, R. T., Hill, C. C. 2012; 26 (5): 940-944

  View details for DOI 10.1053/j.jvca.2012.06.018

  View details for PubMedID 22943790

• Diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Pulmonary circulation Perez, V. A., Haddad, F., Zamanian, R. T. 2012; 2 (2): 163-169

  Abstract

  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is commonly seen in patients who present with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and is considered a marker of poor prognosis. While PH in this setting is thought to result from pulmonary venous congestion, there is a subset of patients in which pulmonary pressures fail to improve with appropriate management of diastolic heart failure and go on to develop a clinical picture similar to that of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Despite the utility of Doppler echocardiography and exercise testing in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected PH-LVDD, the diagnosis can only be confirmed using right heart catheterization. Management of PH-LVDD centers on both optimizing fluid management and afterload reduction to reducing left ventricular diastolic pressures and also increase pulmonary venous return. To date, there is no clear evidence that addition of PH-specific drugs can improve clinical outcomes, and their use should only be considered in the setting of clinical trials. In conclusion, PH-LVDD remains a challenging clinical entity that complicates the management of left ventricular dysfunction and significantly contributes to its morbidity and mortality. Determination of the optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies for this form of PH should be the goal of future studies.

  View details for DOI 10.4103/2045-8932.97598

  View details for PubMedID 22837857

• Design and validation of an endothelial progenitor cell capture chip and its application in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM Hansmann, G., Plouffe, B. D., Hatch, A., von Gise, A., Sallmon, H., Zamanian, R. T., Murthy, S. K. 2011; 89 (10): 971-983

  Abstract

  The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) inversely correlates with cardiovascular risk and clinical outcome, and thus has been proposed as a valuable biomarker for risk assessment, disease progression, and response to therapy. However, current strategies for isolation of these rare cells are limited to complex, laborious approaches. The goal of this study was the design and validation of a disposable microfluidic platform capable of selectively capturing and enumerating EPCs directly from human whole blood in healthy and diseased subjects, eliminating sample preprocessing. We then applied the "EPC capture chip" clinically and determined EPC numbers in blood from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Blood was collected in tubes and injected into polymeric microfluidic chips containing microcolumns pre-coated with anti-CD34 antibody. Captured cells were immunofluorescently stained for the expression of stem and endothelial antigens, identified and counted. The EPC capture chip was validated with conventional flow cytometry counts (r = 0.83). The inter- and intra-day reliability of the microfluidic devices was confirmed at different time points in triplicates over 1-5 months. In a cohort of 43 patients with three forms of PAH (idiopathic/heritable, drug-induced, and connective tissue disease), EPC numbers are ≈50% lower in PAH subjects vs. matched controls and inversely related to two potential disease modifiers: body mass index and postmenopausal status. The EPC capture chip (5 × 30 × 0.05 mm(3)) requires only 200 μL of human blood and has the strong potential to serve as a rapid bedside test for the screening and monitoring of patients with PAH and other proliferative cardiovascular, pulmonary, malignant, and neurodegenerative diseases.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00109-011-0779-6

  View details for Web of Science ID 000294823900004

  View details for PubMedID 21735044

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3306233

• Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Left Heart Disease: Characteristics, Emerging Concepts, and Treatment Strategies PROGRESS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES Haddad, F., Kudelko, K., Mercier, O., Vrtovec, B., Zamanian, R. T., Perez, V. D. 2011; 54 (2): 154-167

  Abstract

  Left heart disease (LHD) represents the most common causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Whether caused by systolic or diastolic dysfunction or valvular heart disease, a hallmark of PH associated with LHD is elevated left atrial pressure. In all cases, the increase in left atrial pressure causes a passive increase in pulmonary pressure. In some patients, a superimposed active component caused by pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling may lead to a further increase in pulmonary arterial pressure. When present, PH is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with LHD. In addition to local abnormalities in nitric oxide and endothelin production, gene modifiers such as serotonin polymorphisms may be associated with the pathogenesis of PH in LHD. Optimizing heart failure regimens and corrective valve surgery represent the cornerstone of the treatment of PH in LHD. Recent studies suggest that sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, is a promising agent in the treatment of PH in LHD. Unloading the left ventricle with circulatory support may also reverse severe PH in patients with end-stage heart failure allowing candidacy to heart transplantation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.pcad.2011.06.003

  View details for Web of Science ID 000294880400009

  View details for PubMedID 21875514

• Survival in Pulmonary Hypertension Registries The Importance of Incident Cases Response CHEST Chung, L., Liu, J., Parsons, L. S., Hassoun, P. M., McGoon, M. D., Badesch, D. B., Miller, D. P., Nicolls, M. R., Zamanian, R. T. 2011; 139 (6): 1548-1549

  View details for DOI 10.1378/chest.11-0341

  View details for Web of Science ID 000291511100050

• Disruption of the Apelin-APJ System Worsens Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY Chandra, S. M., Razavi, H., Kim, J., Agrawal, R., Kundu, R. K., Perez, V. D., Zamanian, R. T., Quertermous, T., Chun, H. J. 2011; 31 (4): 814-U212

  Abstract

  The G-protein-coupled receptor APJ and its ligand apelin are highly expressed in the pulmonary vasculature, but their function in this vascular bed is unclear. We hypothesized that disruption of apelin signaling would lead to worsening of the vascular remodeling associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH).We found that apelin-null mice developed more severe PH compared with wild-type mice when exposed to chronic hypoxia. Micro-computed tomography of the pulmonary arteries demonstrated significant pruning of the microvasculature in the apelin-null mice. Apelin-null mice had a significant reduction of serum nitrate levels. This was secondary to downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which was associated with reduced expression of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), a known regulator of eNOS expression. In vitro knockdown studies targeting apelin in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells demonstrated decreased eNOS and KLF2 expression, as well as impaired phosphorylation of AMP-activated kinase and eNOS. Moreover, serum apelin levels of patients with PH were significantly lower than those of controls.These data demonstrate that disruption of apelin signaling can exacerbate PH mediated by decreased activation of AMP-activated kinase and eNOS, and they identify this pathway as a potentially important therapeutic target for treatment of this refractory human disease.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.219980

  View details for PubMedID 21233449

• Colonic ulceration as an unusual manifestation of vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis RHEUMATOLOGY Kao, L., Myer, P., Nguyen, L., Zamanian, R. T., Chung, L. 2011; 50 (3): 626-628

  View details for DOI 10.1093/rheumatology/keq276

  View details for Web of Science ID 000287745600030

  View details for PubMedID 21172924

• Drugs and toxins-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: lessons learned and challenges ahead. International journal of clinical practice. Supplement de Jesus Perez, V., Kudelko, K., Snook, S., Zamanian, R. T. 2011: 8-10

  Abstract

  Since the identification of the link between pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and exposure to certain drugs and toxins nearly fifty years ago, the expanding landscape of available pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs is further fueling this association. While some causative agents in drugs and toxins associated PAH (D&T-APAH) have been identified, little is known about the exact biology and clinical implications of the disease. In this review, we discuss the historical evidence that links PAH with exposure to anorexinogens, cocaine, and methamphetamines and concentrate on what is known about potential pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and current management. We conclude that future research should focus on studies looking at clinical outcome and susceptibility factors.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02606.x

  View details for PubMedID 21176010

• Right ventricular failure: a novel era of targeted therapy. Current heart failure reports Banerjee, D., Haddad, F., Zamanian, R. T., Nagendran, J. 2010; 7 (4): 202-211

  Abstract

  There now is strong evidence to recognize the pivotal role of the right ventricle (RV) in heart disease and to establish it as a unique and separate entity than the left ventricle (LV). Here, we summarize the differences between the two ventricles, the diagnosis of RV failure, and the management of acute and chronic RV failure. We review the indices derived by echocardiography used to measure RV function, and novel biomarkers that may play a role diagnosing and prognosticating in RV-specific disease. There are new novel therapies that specifically target the RV in disease. For example, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors improve contractility of the hypertrophied RV while sparing the normal LV in pulmonary arterial hypertension. The metabolism of the hypertrophied RV is another area for therapeutic exploitation by metabolic modulation. We also suggest future potential molecular targets that may be unique to the RV because they are upregulated in RV hypertrophy greater than in LV hypertrophy.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11897-010-0031-7

  View details for PubMedID 20890792

• Epoprostenol-associated pneumonitis: diagnostic use of a T-cell proliferation assay. journal of heart and lung transplantation Kudelko, K. T., Nadeau, K., Leung, A. N., Liu, J., Haddad, F., Zamanian, R. T., de Jesus Perez, V. 2010; 29 (9): 1071-1075

  Abstract

  We describe a case of severe drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis in a woman with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension receiving epoprostenol confirmed by a drug T-cell proliferation assay. Proliferation assays were completed in our patient and in a healthy control. Isolated T cells were incubated with CD3-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells and then stimulated to proliferate with (3)H-thymidine in the presence of epoprostenol, other prostanoid analogs, and controls. A significant (p < 0.001) T-cell proliferation response occurred in our patient in the presence of epoprostenol alone. There was a trend towards an increased T-cell response to treprostinil but this was statistically insignificant. There was no significant T-cell response to the diluent alone, normal saline, iloprost, or alprostadil. There was no significant proliferation to any drug in the healthy control. Hence, a drug T-cell proliferation assay confirmed that epoprostenol can rarely incite a profound inflammatory response in the pulmonary interstitium.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2010.04.023

  View details for PubMedID 20627625

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2926193

• Epoprostenol-associated pneumonitis: Diagnostic use of a T-cell proliferation assay JOURNAL OF HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION Kudelko, K. T., Nadeau, K., Leung, A. N., Liu, J., Haddad, F., Zamanian, R. T., Perez, V. D. 2010; 29 (9): 1071-1075

  Abstract

  We describe a case of severe drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis in a woman with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension receiving epoprostenol confirmed by a drug T-cell proliferation assay. Proliferation assays were completed in our patient and in a healthy control. Isolated T cells were incubated with CD3-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells and then stimulated to proliferate with (3)H-thymidine in the presence of epoprostenol, other prostanoid analogs, and controls. A significant (p < 0.001) T-cell proliferation response occurred in our patient in the presence of epoprostenol alone. There was a trend towards an increased T-cell response to treprostinil but this was statistically insignificant. There was no significant T-cell response to the diluent alone, normal saline, iloprost, or alprostadil. There was no significant proliferation to any drug in the healthy control. Hence, a drug T-cell proliferation assay confirmed that epoprostenol can rarely incite a profound inflammatory response in the pulmonary interstitium.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2010.04.023

  View details for Web of Science ID 000281494800016

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2926193

• ERG evaluation of daily, high-dose sildenafil usage Annual Meeting of the Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology Zoumalan, C. I., Zamanian, R. T., Doyle, R. L., Marmor, M. F. SPRINGER. 2009: 225–31

  Abstract

  Sildenafil can cause transient, mild ERG changes in healthy individuals taking large single doses. Although the drug was originally intended for intermittent use in erectile dysfunction, it has now been approved for chronic use in subjects with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The purpose of our study is to investigate possible ERG changes in subjects using large doses of sildenafil on a chronic daily basis.We examined five subjects with PAH taking sildenafil daily for 1-4 years. Full-field electroretinogram (ERG), multifocal ERG (mfERG), and color testing were performed. Three of the subjects returned on a later date for challenge off and on the medication.On chronic daily sildenafil, color vision testing was normal, and ERG and mfERG amplitudes were normal; however, cone implicit times on drug were modestly lengthened. There were no consistent full-field ERG changes when off the drug, but the mfERG showed a small amplitude increase and implicit time decrease, which returned 1 h after re-dosing.There was a modest lengthening of cone implicit time on chronic daily doses of sildenafil and a hint that some of these changes may be reversible in the short term. It does not appear that chronic sildenafil usage at these dosage levels is seriously toxic or threatening to vision.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10633-008-9148-3

  View details for PubMedID 18818963

• Angina Associated With Left Main Coronary Artery Compression in Pulmonary Hypertension JOURNAL OF HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION Perez, V. A., Haddad, F., Vagelos, R. H., Fearon, W., Feinstein, J., Zamanian, R. T. 2009; 28 (5): 527-530

  Abstract

  Chest pain is a common complaint in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Left main coronary artery (LMCA) compression by an enlarged pulmonary artery trunk (PAT) has been associated with angina, but appropriate diagnostic and treatment approaches remain poorly defined. We present two cases of angina caused by LMCA compression from an enlarged pulmonary artery, one of which also presented with new, severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction attributed to myocardial ischemia. Diagnosis of LMCA stenosis was made via coronary angiography followed by computed tomography-gated coronary angiography (CT-CA), which confirmed pulmonary artery enlargement as the source of extrinsic compression. Restoring LMCA patency with percutaneous intervention and/or aggressive treatment of pulmonary hypertension led to significant improvement in angina, cardiac function and quality of life. Given the negative impact on cardiac function, prompt diagnosis and treatment of extrinsic LMCA compression should be considered a priority.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.healun.2008.12.008

  View details for PubMedID 19416787

• Progressive dyspnea after CABG: Complication of retained epicardial pacing wires ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY Horng, G. S., Ashley, E., Balsam, L., Reitz, B., Zamanian, R. T. 2008; 86 (4): 1352-1354

  Abstract

  We report a case of progressive dyspnea and recurrent pneumonia after uneventful coronary artery bypass graft surgery caused by migration of retained epicardial pacing wires into the right upper lobe of the lung. Removal of the wires by open thoracotomy resulted in significant improvement in dyspnea and near complete resolution of the bronchiectasis and consolidation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.03.013

  View details for PubMedID 18805194

• Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of thrombolysis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism CURRENT OPINION IN PULMONARY MEDICINE Zamanian, R. T., Gould, M. K. 2008; 14 (5): 422-426

  Abstract

  Acute pulmonary embolism is a common, life-threatening, cardiopulmonary disorder with a high mortality rate within the first 3 months of diagnosis. As prompt anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy in patients with pulmonary embolism, the clinical utility and cost effectiveness of systemic thrombolysis is debated.Pulmonary embolism with cardiogenic shock and hypotension is characterized as 'massive' in nature and an accepted indication for thrombolysis, although catheter-directed embolectomy with or without local lytic therapy is preferred in centers with appropriate experience. Acute right ventricular dysfunction is a poor prognostic indicator in patients with pulmonary embolism. The most recent randomized controlled trial of systemic thrombolysis in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism and right ventricular dysfunction found that, compared with heparin alone, alteplase and heparin reduced the risk of clinical deterioration requiring treatment escalation, but did not reduce the risk of death. Subsequently, a formal cost effectiveness concluded that alteplase and heparin was slightly less effective and marginally more expensive than heparin alone in this patient population.Current evidence does not support the use of thrombolytic agents in most hemodynamically stable patients with right ventricular dysfunction. However, improved methods of risk stratification may help to identify subgroups of patients at high risk of death that might benefit from systemic thrombolysis.

  View details for PubMedID 18664972

• Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4), a novel downstream target of bone morphogenetic protein receptor II (BMPR-II) in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) migration 78th Annual Scientific Session of the American-Heart-Association Spiekerkoetter, E., Wang, L. L., Zamanian, R., Ambartsumian, N., Schmidt, A. M., Lukanidin, E., RABINOVITCH, M. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2005: U210–U210

  View details for Web of Science ID 000232956401059

• CT angiography of pulmonary artery aneurysms in Hughes-Stovin syndrome AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ROENTGENOLOGY Ketchum, E. S., Zamanian, R. T., Fleischmann, D. 2005; 185 (2): 330-332

  View details for PubMedID 16037501

• Surgical and interventional therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension SEMINARS IN RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Olsson, J. K., Zamanian, R. T., Feinstein, J. A., Doyle, R. L. 2005; 26 (4): 417-428

  Abstract

  Surgical and interventional therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in appropriately selected patients have the potential to dramatically improve or, in some cases, cure PAH. These include atrial septostomy, a palliative procedure or bridge to transplantation in patients with refractory right heart failure, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic thromboembolic disease, and closure of congenital systemic-pulmonary shunts in patients with PAH but without significant pulmonary vascular disease. Lung transplantation should be considered for patients with all forms of PAH who demonstrate advanced or progressive disease.

  View details for PubMedID 16121319

• Regulative response of the cranial neural tube after neural fold ablation: Spatiotemporal nature of neural crest regeneration and up-regulation of Slug DEVELOPMENT Sechrist, J., Nieto, M. A., Zamanian, R. T., BRONNERFRASER, M. 1995; 121 (12): 4103-4115

  Abstract

  After unilateral ablation of the avian cranial neural folds, the remaining neuroepithelial cells are able to replace the missing neural crest population (Scherson et al., 1993). Here, we characterize the cellular and molecular nature of this regulative response by defining: (1) the time and location of neural crest cell production by the neuroepithelium; (2) rostrocaudal axial differences in the regulative response; and (3) the onset of expression of Slug, a transcription factor present in premigratory and migrating neural crest cells. Using DiI and HNK-1 antibody labeling techniques, we find that neural crest regeneration occurs only after apposition of the remaining neuroepithelium with the epidermis, suggesting that the developmental mechanism underlying regeneration of the neural crest may recapitulate initial generation of the neural crest. The regulative response occurs maximally at the 3-5 somite stage, and slowly declines thereafter. Surprisingly, there are profound regional differences in the regenerative ability. Whereas a robust regulation occurs in the caudal midbrain/hindbrain, the caudal forebrain/rostral midbrain regenerates neural crest to a much lesser extent. After neural fold removal in the hindbrain, regenerated neural crest cells migrate in a segmental pattern analogous to that seen in unablated embryos; a decrease in regulative response appears to occur with increasing depth of the ablation. Up-regulation of Slug appears to be an early response after ablation, with Slug transcripts detectable proximal to the ablated region 5-8 hours after surgery and prior to emergence of neural crest cells. Both bilateral and unilateral ablations yield substantial numbers of neural crest cells, though the former recover less rapidly and have greater deficits in neural crest-derived structures than the latter. These experiments demonstrate that the regulative ability of the cranial neuroepithelium to form neural crest depends on the time, location and extent of neural fold ablation.

  View details for Web of Science ID A1995TM47800019

  View details for PubMedID 8575311