Dramatically Improved Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Caused by Qing-Dai (Chinese Herbal Drug) for Ulcerative Colitis

Int Heart J. 2023;64(2):316-320. doi: 10.1536/ihj.22-563.

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and fatal disease for which some causative drugs have been developed. Qing-Dai is a Chinese herbal drug that is sometimes used as a specific treatment for ulcerative colitis in Asia, including Japan. Here, we report a case of severe Qing-Dai-induced PAH. A 19-year-old woman who has been taking Qing-Dai for 8 months was admitted for exertional dyspnea. Her mean pulmonary artery pressure dramatically improved from 72 to 18 mmHg with Qing-Dai discontinuation and PAH-specific therapy. After 6 years of onset, she had not relapsed with PAH with PAH-specific therapy.

Keywords: Indigo naturalis; Inflammatory bowel disease; Pulmonary hypertension; Pulmonary vasodilator; Side effect.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteries
  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / drug therapy
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / chemically induced
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension* / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension* / etiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal