Resolution of Severe Portopulmonary Hypertension With Inhaled Treprostinil and Liver Transplantation

Tex Heart Inst J. 2024 Mar 14;51(1):e238209. doi: 10.14503/THIJ-23-8209.

Abstract

Portopulmonary hypertension is a rare condition with a poor prognosis. Prompt management is essential for liver transplantation eligibility, a potentially curative option. This report presents a case of severe portopulmonary hypertension that resolved with a conservative therapeutic regimen of tadalafil, macitentan, and inhaled treprostinil, which ultimately enabled successful liver transplantation. There was no recurrence of pulmonary hypertension after transplantation, and the patient was weaned off most pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies. This case report is the first to provide evidence that inhaled treprostinil is a safe and effective alternative to continuous intravenous prostacyclins in portopulmonary hypertension.

Keywords: Heart failure; hypertension, portal; hypertension, pulmonary; pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Epoprostenol* / analogs & derivatives
  • Epoprostenol* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / drug therapy
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / etiology
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Rare Diseases

Substances

  • Epoprostenol
  • treprostinil