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Background: We evaluated survival and hospitalization rates in patients with group 1 portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) in the Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management (REVEAL Registry).Methods: The REVEAL Registry is a multicenter, observational, US-based study evaluating demographics and management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Outcomes were examined using Kaplan-Meier time-to-event estimates and compared with patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH) or familial PAH (FPAH).Results: One hundred seventy-four patients with PoPH were enrolled in the REVEAL Registry (IPAH/FPAH; n = 1,478) from March 2006 to December 2009. Mean age was 53 ± 10 years, 52% were female, 32% were newly diagnosed, and 6% were New York Heart Association/World Health Organization functional class IV. Outcome parameters were worse for PoPH vs IPAH/FPAH, respectively: 2-year survival from enrollment (67% vs 85%, P < .001), 5-year survival from time of diagnosis (40% vs 64%, P < .001), and 2-year freedom from all-cause hospitalization (49% vs 59%, P = .019). However, despite worse outcomes, hemodynamic parameters at diagnosis were better for PoPH vs IPAH/FPAH, respectively: mean pulmonary artery pressure (49 mm Hg vs 53 mm Hg, P < .001), mean right atrial pressure (9 mm Hg vs 10 mm Hg, P = .005), pulmonary vascular resistance (8 Wood units vs 12 Wood units, P < .001), and cardiac output (5 L/min vs 4 L/min, P < .001). Compared with patients with IPAH/FPAH, patients with PoPH were less likely to be on a PAH-specific therapy at enrollment (P < .001), suggesting potential delays in therapy for patients with PoPH.Conclusions: Patients with PoPH had significantly poorer survival and all-cause hospitalization rates compared with patients with IPAH/FPAH, despite having better hemodynamics at diagnosis. Further studies should investigate such outcomes and differences in treatment patterns.Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00370214; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

REVEAL (The Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management) provides current demographics of patients with group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 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).Methods: 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).Results: 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).Conclusions: Patients with SSc-APAH demonstrate a unique phenotype with the highest BNP levels, lowest Dlco, and poorest survival of all CTD-APAH subgroups.Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00370214; URL: clinicaltrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Registry to EValuate Early And Long-term pulmonary arterial hypertension disease management (REVEAL Registry) was established to provide updated characteristics of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to improve diagnosis, treatment, and management.Methods: Fifty-four US centers enrolled consecutively screened patients with World Health Organization group I PAH who met expanded hemodynamic criteria of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) > 25 mm Hg at rest (30 mm Hg with exercise), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) or= 240 dynes x s x cm(-5). Patients meeting the traditional hemodynamic definition (PCWP Results: Between March 2006 and September 2007, 2,967 patients enrolled. Among 2,525 adults meeting traditional hemodynamic criteria, the mean age was 53 +/- 14 years, and 2,007 (79.5%) were women. The mean duration between symptom onset and diagnostic catheterization was 2.8 years, and 1,008 (41.3%) patients were treated with more than one pulmonary vascular-targeted medication. Compared with patients meeting the traditional hemodynamic definition of PAH, patients with a PCWP of 16 to 18 mm Hg were older, more obese, had a lower 6-min walk distance, and had a higher incidence of systemic hypertension, sleep apnea, renal insufficiency, and diabetes.Conclusions: Patients in the REVEAL Registry are older and more often female than in previous descriptions. Delays between symptom onset and diagnostic catheterization persist. Many treatment regimens are fundamentally empirical, and data will be required to determine outcomes, improve risk stratification, and develop and validate more precise prognostic tools. Patients with PCWP of 16 to 18 mm Hg differ in a number of important respects from those meeting the traditional hemodynamic definition of PAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) occurs in 6% of liver transplant candidates. The pathogenesis of this complication of portal hypertension is poorly understood.Objectives: To identify genetic risk factors for PPHTN in patients with advanced liver disease.Methods: We performed a multicenter case-control study of patients with portal hypertension. Cases had a mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance >240 dynes.s(-1).cm(-5), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure < or =15 mm Hg. Controls had a right ventricular systolic pressure < 40 mm Hg (if estimated) and normal right-sided cardiac morphology by transthoracic echocardiography. We genotyped 1,079 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 93 candidate genes in each patient.Measurements and Main Results: The study sample included 31 cases and 104 controls. Twenty-nine SNPs in 15 candidate genes were associated with the risk of PPHTN (P < 0.05). Multiple SNPs in the genes coding for estrogen receptor 1, aromatase, phosphodiesterase 5, angiopoietin 1, and calcium binding protein A4 were associated with the risk of PPHTN. The biological relevance of one of the aromatase SNPs was supported by an association with plasma estradiol levels.Conclusions: Genetic variation in estrogen signaling and cell growth regulators is associated with the risk of PPHTN. These biologic pathways may elucidate the mechanism for the development of PPHTN in certain patients with severe liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RATIONALE: Small, open-label studies suggest that combinations of existing therapies may be effective for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of adding inhaled iloprost, a prostacyclin analog, to the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan in patients with PAH. METHODS: In a randomized, multicenter, double-blind trial, inhaled iloprost (5 mug) or placebo was added to stable monotherapy with bosentan for 12 wk. Efficacy endpoints included change from baseline in 6-min-walk distance (6-MWD), modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, hemodynamic parameters, and time to clinical worsening. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 67 patients with PAH (55% idiopathic PAH, 45% associated PAH, 94% NYHA class III, and mean baseline 6-MWD of 335 m) were randomized. At Week 12, patients receiving iloprost had a mean increase in 6-MWD of 30 m (p = 0.001); placebo patients had a mean 6-MWD increase of 4 m (p = 0.69), with a placebo-adjusted difference of +26 m (p = 0.051). NYHA status improved by one class in 34% of iloprost versus 6% of placebo patients (p = 0.002). Iloprost delayed the time to clinical worsening (p = 0.0219). Improvements were noted in postinhalation placebo-adjusted change in mean pulmonary artery pressure (-8 mm Hg; p < 0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance (-254 dyn . s . cm(-5); p < 0.001). Combination therapy was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of a relatively small sample size, results of this study demonstrate that the addition of inhaled iloprost in patients with PAH with reduced exercise capacity on bosentan monotherapy is safe and efficacious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objectives: We report on the long-term safety and efficacy of bosentan treatment in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Background: In a preceding study, bosentan was well tolerated and significantly improved the exercise capacity and hemodynamics of patients with PAH after 12 weeks of treatment.Design: The present study was an open-label extension to the preceding double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 32 patients with PAH (primary or associated with scleroderma) who received bosentan or placebo at 125 mg bid for 3 to 7 months.Patients: Twenty-nine of the original 32 patients received bosentan for an additional year (62.5 mg bid for 4 weeks and then 125 mg bid).Interventions: Study end points included long-term safety, 6-min walk distance at week 4, modified New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class of PAH at month 12, and the occurrence of withdrawal due to clinical worsening. Additional exploratory analyses included a walk test at month 6 for 19 patients and hemodynamic assessment at month 12 for 11 patients.Results: At month 6, assessed patients continuing bosentan treatment maintained the improvement in walk distance observed at the end of the previous study (mean +/- SEM, 60 +/- 11 m), and patients starting bosentan treatment improved their walk distance by 45 +/- 13 m. Long-term treatment with bosentan for > 1 year was associated with an improvement in hemodynamic parameters and modified NYHA functional class. Overall, bosentan treatment was well tolerated. No patient underwent transplantation or died.Conclusions: Long-term treatment with bosentan is safe and has sustained benefits on exercise capacity and hemodynamics in patients with PAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New and emerging therapies might provide benefit in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Their efficacy and safety will be compared with existing combination therapies in randomized clinical trials. Appropriate end points for these trials need to be identified: these will include exercise testing, the composite end point of time to clinical worsening, and hemodynamic markers, including advanced imaging modalities and biomarkers. Quality-of-life questionnaires are useful and important secondary end points; pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific questionnaires are currently being developed. Advantages and disadvantages of various trial designs, including placebo-controlled monotherapy or add-on trials, noninferiority studies, and withdrawal trials are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the phase 3 STELLAR trial, sotatercept, an investigational first-in-class activin signalling inhibitor, demonstrated beneficial effects on 6-min walk distance and additional efficacy endpoints in pre-treated participants with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)., Methods: This post hoc analysis evaluated data from right heart catheterisation (RHC) and echocardiography (ECHO) obtained from the STELLAR trial. Changes from baseline in RHC and ECHO parameters were assessed at 24 weeks. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model was used to estimate differences in least squares means with treatment and randomisation stratification (mono/double versus triple therapy; World Health Organization functional class II versus III) as fixed factors, and baseline value as covariate., Results: Relative to placebo, treatment with sotatercept led to significant (all p<0.0001 except where noted) improvements from baseline in mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure (-13.9 mmHg), pulmonary vascular resistance (-254.8 dyn·s·cm -5 ), mean right atrial pressure (-2.7 mmHg), mixed venous oxygen saturation (3.84%), PA elastance (-0.42 mmHg·mL -1 ·beat -1 ), PA compliance (0.58 mL·mmHg -1 ), cardiac efficiency (0.48 mL·beat -1 ·mmHg -1 ), right ventricular (RV) work (-0.85 g·m) and RV power (-32.70 mmHg·L·min -1 ). ECHO showed improvements in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to systolic pulmonary artery pressure ratio (0.12 mm·mmHg -1 ), end-systolic and end-diastolic RV areas (-4.39 cm 2 and -5.31 cm 2 , respectively), tricuspid regurgitation and RV fractional area change (2.04% p<0.050). No significant between-group changes from baseline were seen for TAPSE, heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume or their indices., Conclusion: In pre-treated patients with PAH, sotatercept demonstrated substantial improvements in PA pressures, PA compliance, PA-RV coupling and right heart function., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: R. Souza has served as consultant for Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Janssen Biotech, Inc. (fees paid to self). D.B. Badesch has received grants/contracts from Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA), Altavant and United Therapeutics (all paid to institution, clinical trial), received payment as consultant from Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) and Aerovate Inc. (paid through institution), and the author's spouse or partner has stock in Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc. H.A. Ghofrani has served as consultant for Aerovate, Altavant, Bayer Healthcare, Gossamer Bio, Janssen Diagnostics, LLC, Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) and Pfizer (fees paid to self), and is an employee of Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany. J.S.R. Gibbs has served a consultant for Acceleron Pharma and Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) (fees paid to self), served in data and safety monitoring boards for Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Fundação Bial, GossamerBio and Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) (fees paid to self), served in end point review committee for Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Aerovate, Janssen Biotech, Pfizer Pharma GMBH and United Therapeutics Corporation (fees paid to self), and served as Chair of ERN-Lung Functional Committee Patient Reported Outcomes for ERN Lung. M. Gomberg-Maitland has served as a consultant for Acceleron Pharma and Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA), Aerami, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Janssen Biotech, Keros and United Therapeutics Corporation (fees paid to self), has received grant/contract from Aerovate, Altavant, Acceleron Pharma and Merck & Co., Inc. (fees paid to institution), and the author's spouse is an employee of Intellia Therapeutics. V.V. McLaughlin has served as a consultant for Aerami, Aerovate, Altavant, Bayer Healthcare, Caremark, Corvista, Gossamer Bio, Janssen Biotech, Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) and United Therapeutics (fees paid to self), received grants/contracts from Aerovate, Altavant, Gossamer Bio, Janssen Biotech, Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) and Sonovie (paid to institution), served as fiduciary officer, board of directors, for Clene (fees paid to self), and is an employee of the University of Michigan. I.R. Preston has served as a steering committee member for Acceleron Pharma, Liquidia and United Therapeutics (fees paid to self), served as scientific advisory board member for Aerovate, Altavant and Gossamer (fees paid to self), served as consultant for Janssen Global Services, LLC and Respira Therapeutics (fees paid to self), and served as principal investigator for Janssen Global Services, LLC and United Therapeutics (fees paid to self). A.B. Waxman has served as consultant for ARIA-CV, Goassamer, Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) and United Therapeutics Corporation (fees paid to self), received grants/contracts from AI Therapeutics, Inc. (fees paid to self), and served on a data and safety monitoring committee for Insmed, Inc. (fees paid to self). E. Grünig has served as consultant for Actelion Pharmaceuticals (fees paid to self), and served as speaker and/or consultant for Bayer Healthcare, Ferrer, GEBRO, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Biotech, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and OMT (fees paid to self). G. Kopeć has served as consultant for Acceleron Pharma, Inc. and Janssen Global Services, LLC, on a scientific advisory board (fees paid to self), served as PI in a clinical study for Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Bayer and Janssen Global Services, LLC (fees paid to self), served as a speaker for Bayer, Janssen Global Services, LLC and Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) (fees paid to self), served as investigator for Janssen Global Services, LLC (fees paid to self), and received travel fees from Janssen Global Services, LLC and Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) (paid to self). G. Meyer has served as consultant for Bayer Healthcare and Janssen Biotech (fees paid to self), and received grants/contracts from Bayer Healthcare (paid to institution). K.M. Olsson has served as a consultant for Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Actelion Pharmaceuticals, AOP Orphan, Bayer, Ferrer Pharma, Janssen Global Services, LLC and Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) (fees paid to self). S. Rosenkranz has served as consultant for Abbott Fund, Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Aerovate, Altavant, AOP Orphan, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Edwards Lifesciences, Ferrer, Gossamer, Janssen, MSD and United Therapeutics (fees paid to self), and received grants/contracts from Actelion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Bayer and Janssen (paid to institution). J. Lin, A.O. Johnson-Levonas and J. de Oliveira Pena are employees of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and own stock/stock shares in Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. M. Humbert has served as consultant for Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Aerovate, Altavant, AOP Orphan, Bayer, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Ferrer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA), MorphogenIX and United Therapeutics Corporation (fees paid to self). M.M. Hoeper has served as consultant for Acceleron Pharma, Inc., Actelion Pharmaceuticals, AOP Orphan, Bayer Healthcare, Ferrer, GossamerBio, Janssen Global Services, LLC and Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ, USA) (fees paid to self)., (Copyright ©The authors 2023.)

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disease involving proliferative remodeling of the pulmonary vessels. Despite therapeutic advances, the disease-associated morbidity and mortality remain high. Sotatercept is a fusion protein that traps activins and growth differentiation factors involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension., Methods: We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, phase 3 trial in which adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (World Health Organization [WHO] functional class II or III) who were receiving stable background therapy were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous sotatercept (starting dose, 0.3 mg per kilogram of body weight; target dose, 0.7 mg per kilogram) or placebo every 3 weeks. The primary end point was the change from baseline at week 24 in the 6-minute walk distance. Nine secondary end points, tested hierarchically in the following order, were multicomponent improvement, change in pulmonary vascular resistance, change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level, improvement in WHO functional class, time to death or clinical worsening, French risk score, and changes in the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Symptoms and Impact (PAH-SYMPACT) Physical Impacts, Cardiopulmonary Symptoms, and Cognitive/Emotional Impacts domain scores; all were assessed at week 24 except time to death or clinical worsening, which was assessed when the last patient completed the week 24 visit., Results: A total of 163 patients were assigned to receive sotatercept and 160 to receive placebo. The median change from baseline at week 24 in the 6-minute walk distance was 34.4 m (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.0 to 35.5) in the sotatercept group and 1.0 m (95% CI, -0.3 to 3.5) in the placebo group. The Hodges-Lehmann estimate of the difference between the sotatercept and placebo groups in the change from baseline at week 24 in the 6-minute walk distance was 40.8 m (95% CI, 27.5 to 54.1; P<0.001). The first eight secondary end points were significantly improved with sotatercept as compared with placebo, whereas the PAH-SYMPACT Cognitive/Emotional Impacts domain score was not. Adverse events that occurred more frequently with sotatercept than with placebo included epistaxis, dizziness, telangiectasia, increased hemoglobin levels, thrombocytopenia, and increased blood pressure., Conclusions: In patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension who were receiving stable background therapy, sotatercept resulted in a greater improvement in exercise capacity (as assessed by the 6-minute walk test) than placebo. (Funded by Acceleron Pharma, a subsidiary of MSD; STELLAR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04576988.)., (Copyright © 2023 Massachusetts Medical Society.)

To better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension, we conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating health insurance status, healthcare access, disease severity, and patient reported outcomes in this population. Using the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry (PHAR), we defined and extracted a longitudinal cohort of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients from the PHAR's inception in 2015 until March 2022. We used generalized estimating equations to model the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient outcomes, adjusting for demographic confounders. We assessed whether insurance status modified these effects via covariate interactions. PAH patients were more likely to be on publicly-sponsored insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with prior, and did not experience statistically significant delays in access to medications, increased emergency room visits or nights in the hospital, or worsening of mental health metrics. Patients on publicly-sponsored insurance had higher healthcare utilization and worse objective measures of disease severity compared with privately insured individuals irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relatively small impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pulmonary hypertension-related outcomes was unexpected but may be due to pre-established access to high quality care at pulmonary hypertension comprehensive care centers. Irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients who were on publicly-sponsored insurance seemed to do worse, consistent with prior studies highlighting outcomes in this population. We speculate that previously established care relationships may lessen the impact of an acute event, such as a pandemic, on patients with chronic illness., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Pulmonary Circulation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute.)

Background: In participants with pulmonary arterial hypertension, 24 weeks of sotatercept resulted in a significantly greater reduction from baseline in pulmonary vascular resistance than placebo. This report characterises the longer-term safety and efficacy of sotatercept in the PULSAR open-label extension. We report cumulative safety, and efficacy at months 18-24, for all participants treated with sotatercept., Methods: PULSAR was a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed by an open-label extension, which evaluated sotatercept on top of background pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy in adults. Participants originally randomised to placebo were re-randomised 1:1 to sotatercept 0.3 or 0.7 mg·kg -1 (placebo-crossed group); those initially randomised to sotatercept continued the same sotatercept dose (continued-sotatercept group). Safety was evaluated in all participants who received ≥1 dose of sotatercept. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to months 18-24 in pulmonary vascular resistance. Secondary endpoints included 6-min walk distance and functional class. Two prespecified analyses, placebo-crossed and delayed-start, evaluated efficacy irrespective of dose., Results: Of 106 participants enrolled in the PULSAR study, 97 continued into the extension period. Serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 32 (30.8%) participants; 10 (9.6%) reported treatment-emergent adverse events leading to study discontinuation. Three (2.9%) participants died, none considered related to study drug. The placebo-crossed group demonstrated significant improvement across primary and secondary endpoints and clinical efficacy was maintained in the continued-sotatercept group., Conclusion: These results support the longer-term safety and durability of clinical benefit of sotatercept for pulmonary arterial hypertension., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: M. Humbert is a consultant and an advisory committee member for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Aerovate, Altavant, AOP Orphan, Bayer, Ferrer, Janssen, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, MorphogenIX and United Therapeutics, and has received research grants for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Janssen, and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. V. McLaughlin is a consultant for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Aerovate, Altavant, Bayer, Caremark LLC, CiVi Bioharma Inc., Corvista, Gossamer Bio, Janssen, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and United Therapeutics, has received grant(s) from Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Janssen, Sonovie, United Therapeutics, is involved in CME programs for Impact PH and PHA, and on the board of directors for CiVi Biopharma Inc., and for Clene. J.S.R. Gibbs is a consultant and speaker for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Aerovate, Bayer, Complexa, Janssen, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, MSD, Pfizer and United Therapeutics. M. Gomberg-Maitland is a consultant for Altavant, Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Janssen, and Entelligence Young for Janssen, is part of the advisory committee for United Therapeutics and the data safety monitoring board for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, has received grant(s) and/or reports GW with funds from Altavant, Bayer and United Therapeutics. M.M. Hoeper is a consultant and speaker for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, MSD and Pfizer. I.R. Preston is a consultant for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Pfizer, Respira and United Therapeutics, a steering committee member for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and has received grant(s) from Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Bayer, Complexa, Liquidia, PhaseBio, Tenax and United Therapeutics. R. Souza is an advisory committee member for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. A.B. Waxman is steering committee member for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Altavant, Gossamer Bio, United Therapeutics, an investigator and/or principal investigator for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Aria-CV and United Therapeutics, and has received grant(s) from Acceleron, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. H-A. Ghofrani is a consultant for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Bayer, Gossamer Bio, Jansson, MorphogenIX, MSD and Pfizer. P. Escribano Subias has received consulting fees from Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Janssen, MSD and Gossamer Bio, has received payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers’ bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational events from Janssen, MSD, Ferrer, Bayer and AOT, has received support for attending meetings from Janssen and MSD, has received equipment, materials, drugs, medical writing or other services from Janssen, and has participated on data safety monitoring or advisory boards for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway NJ, USA, Janssen, MSD and Gossamer Bio. J. Feldman reports consulting fees from Merck, Aerovate, Altavant, United Therapeutics, Liquidia, Corsair and Janssen. G. Meyer has received payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, and speakers’ bureaus from Bayer and Janssen and has participated on advisory boards for Bayer and Janssen. D. Montani has received grant(s) from and is a consultant for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Bayer, Chesi, GlaxoSmithKline, MSD and Pfizer. K.M. Olsson is a consultant and speaker for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, MSD and Pfizer. S. Manimaran and J. de Oliveira Pena are employees of Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. D.B. Badesch is a consultant for Pfizer, is a consultant and advisory committee member for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Altavant, Arena, Bayer, Liquidia, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, United Therapeutics, has received research grant for Acceleron Pharma Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, Actelion, Altavant, Arena, Belleraphon, Janssen, Liquidia, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and United Therapeutics, sits on the data safety monitoring board for United Therapeutics, and is a long-term holder of common stock for Johnson and Johnson., (Copyright ©The authors 2023.)

Background: Missing data prove troublesome in data analysis; at best they reduce a study's statistical power and at worst they induce bias in parameter estimates. Multiple imputation via chained equations is a popular technique for dealing with missing data. However, techniques for combining and pooling results from fitted generalized additive models (GAMs) after multiple imputation have not been well explored., Methods: We simulated missing data under MCAR, MAR, and MNAR frameworks and utilized random forest and predictive mean matching imputation to investigate a variety of rules for combining GAMs after multiple imputation with binary and normally distributed outcomes. We compared multiple pooling procedures including the "D2" method, the Cauchy combination test, and the median p-value (MPV) rule. The MPV rule involves simply computing and reporting the median p-value across all imputations. Other ad hoc methods such as a mean p-value rule and a single imputation method are investigated. The viability of these methods in pooling results from B-splines is also examined for normal outcomes. An application of these various pooling techniques is then performed on two case studies, one which examines the effect of elevation on a six-minute walk distance (a normal outcome) for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and the other which examines risk factors for intubation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients (a dichotomous outcome)., Results: In comparison to the results from generalized additive models fit on full datasets, the median p-value rule performs as well as if not better than the other methods examined. In situations where the alternative hypothesis is true, the Cauchy combination test appears overpowered and alternative methods appear underpowered, while the median p-value rule yields results similar to those from analyses of complete data., Conclusions: For pooling results after fitting GAMs to multiply imputed datasets, the median p-value is a simple yet useful approach which balances both power to detect important associations and control of Type I errors., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background Current mortality data for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the United States are based on registries that enrolled patients prior to 2010. We sought to determine mortality in PAH in the modern era using the PHAR (Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry). Methods and Results We identified all adult patients with PAH enrolled in the PHAR between September 2015 and September 2020 (N=935). We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models to assess mortality at 1, 2, and 3 years. Patients were stratified based on disease severity by 3 validated risk scores. In treatment-naïve patients, we compared survival based on initial treatment strategy. The median age was 56 years (44-68 years), and 76% were women. Of the 935 patients, 483 (52%) were ≤6 months from PAH diagnosis. There were 121 deaths (12.9%) during a median follow-up time of 489 days (281-812 days). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year mortality was 8% (95% CI, 6%-10%), 16% (95% CI, 13%-19%), and 21% (95% CI, 17%-25%), respectively. When stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk PAH, the mortality at 1, 2, and 3 years was 1%, 4% to 6%, and 7% to 11% for low risk; 7% to 8%, 11% to 16%, and 18% to 20% for intermediate risk; and 12% to 19%, 22% to 38%, and 28% to 55% for high risk, respectively. In treatment-naïve patients, initial combination therapy was associated with better 1-year survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.19-0.95]; P =0.037). Conclusions Mortality in the intermediate- and high-risk patients with PAH remains unacceptably high in the PHAR, suggesting the importance for early diagnosis, aggressive use of available therapies, and the need for better therapeutics.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, cellular proliferation, and poor long-term outcomes. Dysfunctional bone morphogenetic protein pathway signaling is associated with both hereditary and idiopathic subtypes. Sotatercept, a novel fusion protein, binds activins and growth differentiation factors in the attempt to restore balance between growth-promoting and growth-inhibiting signaling pathways., Methods: In this 24-week multicenter trial, we randomly assigned 106 adults who were receiving background therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension to receive subcutaneous sotatercept at a dose of 0.3 mg per kilogram of body weight every 3 weeks or 0.7 mg per kilogram every 3 weeks or placebo. The primary end point was the change from baseline to week 24 in pulmonary vascular resistance., Results: Baseline characteristics were similar among the three groups. The least-squares mean difference between the sotatercept 0.3-mg group and the placebo group in the change from baseline to week 24 in pulmonary vascular resistance was -145.8 dyn · sec · cm -5 (95% confidence interval [CI], -241.0 to -50.6; P = 0.003). The least-squares mean difference between the sotatercept 0.7-mg group and the placebo group was -239.5 dyn · sec · cm -5 (95% CI, -329.3 to -149.7; P<0.001). At 24 weeks, the least-squares mean difference between the sotatercept 0.3-mg group and the placebo group in the change from baseline in 6-minute walk distance was 29.4 m (95% CI, 3.8 to 55.0). The least-squares mean difference between the sotatercept 0.7-mg group and the placebo group was 21.4 m (95% CI, -2.8 to 45.7). Sotatercept was also associated with a decrease in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Thrombocytopenia and an increased hemoglobin level were the most common hematologic adverse events. One patient in the sotatercept 0.7-mg group died from cardiac arrest., Conclusions: Treatment with sotatercept resulted in a reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance in patients receiving background therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. (Funded by Acceleron Pharma; PULSAR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03496207.)., (Copyright © 2021 Massachusetts Medical Society.)

Rationale: Single-center studies demonstrated that methamphetamine use is associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (Meth-APAH). We used the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry to evaluate the national distribution of Meth-APAH and to compare its impact on patient-reported and clinical outcomes relative to idiopathic PAH. Objectives: To determine if patients with Meth-APAH differ from those with idiopathic PAH in demographics, regional distribution in the United States, hemodynamics, health-related quality of life, PAH-specific treatment, and health care use. Methods: The Pulmonary Hypertension Association Registry is a U.S.-based prospective cohort of patients new to care at a Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center. The registry collects baseline demographics, clinical parameters, and repeated measures of health-related quality of life, World Health Organization functional class, 6-minute walk distance, therapy, and health care use. Repeated measures of functional class, health-related quality of life, type of therapy, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations were compared using generalized estimating equations. Results: Of 541 participants included, 118 had Meth-APAH; 83% of Meth-APAH arose in the western United States. The Meth-APAH group was younger and had a poorer socioeconomic status and lower cardiac index than the idiopathic PAH group, despite no difference in mean pulmonary artery pressure or pulmonary vascular resistance. The Meth-APAH group had a more advanced functional class in longitudinal models (0.22 points greater; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07 to 0.37) and worse PAH-specific (emPHasis-10) health-related quality of life (-5.4; 95% CI, -8.1 to -2.8). There was no difference in dual combination therapy; however, participants with Meth-APAH were less likely to be initiated on triple therapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.77) or parenteral therapy (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.24). Participants with Meth-APAH were more likely to seek care in the emergency department (incidence rate ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.71 to 3.11) and more likely to be hospitalized (incidence rate ratio, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.83). Conclusions: Meth-APAH represents a unique clinical phenotype of PAH, most common in the western United States. It accounts for a notable proportion of PAH in expert centers. Assessment for methamphetamine use is necessary in patients with PAH.

Background: The treatment, genotyping, and phenotyping of patients with World Health Organization Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have evolved dramatically in the last decade., Research Question: The United States Pulmonary Hypertension Scientific Registry was established as the first US PAH patient registry to investigate genetic information, reproductive histories, and environmental exposure data in a contemporary patient population., Study Design and Methods: Investigators at 15 US centers enrolled consecutively screened adults diagnosed with Group 1 PAH who had enrolled in the National Biological Sample and Data Repository for PAH (PAH Biobank) within 5 years of a cardiac catheterization demonstrating qualifying hemodynamic criteria. Exposure and reproductive histories were collected by using a structured interview and questionnaire. The biobank provided genetic data., Results: Between 2015 and 2018, a total of 499 of 979 eligible patients with clinical diagnoses of idiopathic PAH (IPAH) or familial PAH (n = 240 [48%]), associated PAH (APAH; n = 256 [51%]), or pulmonary venoocclusive disease/pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (n = 3 [1%]) enrolled. The mean age was 55.8 years, average BMI was 29.2 kg/m 2 , and 79% were women. Mean duration between symptom onset and diagnostic catheterization was 1.9 years. Sixty-six percent of patients were treated with more than one PAH medication at enrollment. Past use of prescription weight loss drugs (16%), recreational drugs (27%), and oral contraceptive pills (77%) was common. Women often reported miscarriage (37%), although PAH was rarely diagnosed within 6 months of pregnancy (1.9%). Results of genetic testing identified pathogenic or suspected pathogenic variants in 13% of patients, reclassifying 18% of IPAH patients and 5% of APAH patients to heritable PAH., Interpretation: Patients with Group 1 PAH remain predominately middle-aged women diagnosed with IPAH or APAH. Delays in diagnosis of PAH persist. Treatment with combinations of PAH-targeted medications is more common than in the past. Women often report pregnancy complications, as well as exposure to anorexigens, oral contraceptives, and/or recreational drugs. Results of genetic tests frequently identify unsuspected heritable PAH., (Copyright © 2020 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: 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., Methods: 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., Results: 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., Conclusions: 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., Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01841762; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)