Controversies over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

This study is a retrospective analysis of our PAH patients treated in 2020 compared to the dynamics of the last 12 years. We had 48 PAH patients, 51.72±16.64 years, 72.91% female. All patients had chronic anticoagulant therapy(58.33%) and/or antiplatelet; 33.33% had long term oxygen therapy. Three patients with secondary forms were confirmed with COVID-19, all hospitalized (6.25% infection rate versus 3.29% in general). One patient died(75 years with scleroderma, stroke), two patients were cured (mild forms). In total only three patients died in 2020. Surprisingly, compared with 2008-2019 (101 patients/ 41 deaths, 3.41 death rate), this mortality was lower (p=0.856). In contrast, the number of new diagnosed patients decreased significantly: only five new patients compared to previous 8.41 inclusion rate (p=0.101). In-site visits could not be usually performed and were replaced by telemedicine. Two patients were temporarily discontinued (lack of medication). These data reveal an unexpectedly good survival (treatment related) and support new monitoring paradigms (telemedicine, self-monitoring, measurement of daily physical activity through pedometry or telephone applications). The negative impact of undiagnosed patients (possibly unexpected deaths associated with COVID-19), the increasing incidence of PAH cases secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism and the protective effect of PAH-specific therapy remain controversial.
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Pulmonary hypertension Source Type: research