Effect of Inhaled Albuterol in Pulmonary Hypertension

Effect of Inhaled Albuterol on Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Patients With Group 1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on Oral Pulmonary Vasodilator Therapy: A Proof of Concept Study

The purpose of the present pilot study is to test the hypothesis that in patients with group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who are on regular oral pulmonary vasodilator therapy, inhaled albuterol causes transient pulmonary vasodilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• A Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure >25mmHg, Pulmonary Vascular Resistance >3 wood/units and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure <15mmHg, as documented by right heart catheterization within the last 3 years
• Regular use of oral pulmonary vasodilators

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of chronic respiratory disease (as documented by prior lung imaging and pulmonary function tests), cardiovascular disease (as documented by prior echocardiography and/or left heart catheterization), thromboembolic PAH (as documented by pulmonary angiography)
• women of childbearing potential who do not use accepted birth- control measures
• pregnant and breast-feeding women
• respiratory infection within 4 weeks of testing
• A systemic systolic arterial BP> 150 and/or diastolic arterial BP>100 on the experiment day
• A resting O2 saturation of < 90%
• Current smoking
• BMI >35 kg/m2 and/or a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea
• Use of inhaled or intravenous pulmonary vasodilators