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Cardiovascular Ultrasound
Published in: Cardiovascular Ultrasound 1/2005

Open Access 01-12-2005 | Case report

Long-term therapy of interferon-alpha induced pulmonary arterial hypertension with different PDE-5 inhibitors: a case report

Authors: Nicoline Jochmann, Felix Kiecker, Adrian C Borges, Maja A Hofmann, Stephan Eddicks, Wolfram Sterry, Gert Baumann, Uwe Trefzer

Published in: Cardiovascular Ultrasound | Issue 1/2005

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Abstract

background

Interferon alpha2 is widely used in hepatitis and high-risk melanoma. Interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension as a side effect is rare.

Case presentation

We describe a melanoma patient who developed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension 30 months after initiation of adjuvant interferon alpha2b therapy. Discontinuation of interferon did not improve pulmonary arterial hypertension. This patient could be treated successfully with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy.

Conclusion

This is only the 5th case of interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension and the first documented case where pulmonary arterial hypertension was not reversible after termination of interferon alpha2 therapy. If interferon alpha2 treated patients develop respiratory symptoms, pulmonary arterial hypertension should be considered in the differential diagnosis. For these patients phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil or vardenafil, could be an effective therapeutic approach.
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Metadata
Title
Long-term therapy of interferon-alpha induced pulmonary arterial hypertension with different PDE-5 inhibitors: a case report
Authors
Nicoline Jochmann
Felix Kiecker
Adrian C Borges
Maja A Hofmann
Stephan Eddicks
Wolfram Sterry
Gert Baumann
Uwe Trefzer
Publication date
01-12-2005
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cardiovascular Ultrasound / Issue 1/2005
Electronic ISSN: 1476-7120
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-7120-3-26

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