Skip to main content
Download PDF

Long-term therapy of interferon-alpha induced pulmonary arterial hypertension with different PDE-5 inhibitors: a case report

Cardiovascular Ultrasound volume 3, Article number: 26 (2005) Cite this article

Abstract

background

Interferon alpha2 is widely used in hepatitis and high-risk melanoma. Interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension as a side effect is rare.

Case presentation

We describe a melanoma patient who developed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension 30 months after initiation of adjuvant interferon alpha2b therapy. Discontinuation of interferon did not improve pulmonary arterial hypertension. This patient could be treated successfully with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy.

Conclusion

This is only the 5th case of interferon-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension and the first documented case where pulmonary arterial hypertension was not reversible after termination of interferon alpha2 therapy. If interferon alpha2 treated patients develop respiratory symptoms, pulmonary arterial hypertension should be considered in the differential diagnosis. For these patients phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil or vardenafil, could be an effective therapeutic approach.

Peer Review reports

Background

The interferons (IFN) are a group of glycoproteins produced by a wide range of cells in response to viruses, mitogens, double-stranded RNA and other substances. They perform immunoregulatory, as well as antiviral and antineoplastic functions, with the latter being the result of inhibition of cell proliferation, enhanced MHC expression and tumor-associated antigen expression. The alpha interferon's (IFN α2a and IFN α2b) act as immunomodulators by enhancing natural killer cells, macrophages and T-lymphocyte function, as well as having antiangiogenic properties. Various forms of IFNs have been evaluated as therapy in a variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. The major oncologic indications for IFNs include malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), AIDS-related or HHV-8 associated Kaposi's sarcoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), whereas the non-oncologic indications include viral infections (including hepatitis C and HPV-associated lesions such as condylomata acuminata), multiple sclerosis, keloids, keratoacanthoma, Behcet's disease or hemangioma [1]. IFN α2 is approved in the US and Europe for adjuvant therapy of melanoma and is considered the standard therapy for high-risk melanoma [2]. Among the side effects are flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills and anorexia, myalgia, as well as neuropathies and neuropsychiatric side effects, bone marrow depression, liver and renal failure, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, peripheral hypo- and hypertension and vascular side effects like Raynaud's phenomena, digital ulceration and gangrene [2, 3]. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and interstitial pneumonitis are described as rare side effects [3–8]. We describe a female patient with high risk melanoma who developed severe PAH 30 months after initiation of adjuvant IFN therapy and who could be treated successfully with PDE-5 inhibitor therapy.

Case Presentation

A 40-year-old woman received excision of a superficial spreading melanoma from the rima ani with a safety margin of 3 cm (Clark-Level IV, tumor thickness 1,82 mm). Lymphatic drainage was detected to both inguinal basins and both excised sentinel lymph nodes were unaffected. None of the staging examinations including computer tomography (CT) of the brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis, as well as lymph node sonography revealed any signs of tumor manifestation. The medical history of the patient was otherwise unremarkable and she was not on any medication. There was no family history of hypertension, heart disease or pulmonary disease. Because of the high-risk nature of the melanoma, the patient started long-term adjuvant therapy with IFN α2b (5 × 10 million U. s.c. per week for 4 weeks followed by 3 × 10 million U. s.c. per week).

After 30 months of IFN α2b treatment the patient reported increasing dyspnea on exertion and afebrile non-productive coughing accompanied by sudden malaise and edema of the lower legs. Electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia (120 /min) and right axis deviation. A chest x-ray showed signs of right ventricular dilatation and pleural effusion on the right side; no pneumonic infiltrates were seen. Abdominal sonography revealed a significant amount of ascites. The patient was diagnosed with decompensated right heart failure and was therefore hospitalized. Initial investigations with transthoracic echocardiography showed right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation (Figure 1), PAH with a calculated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPsyst) of 80 mmHg and tricuspid insufficiency grade II-III with morphologically normal valves (Figure 2), a reduced right ventricular ejection fraction of 40%, a hypokinetic right ventricle and pericardial effusion without signs of tamponade. Laboratory work-up showed slightly increased levels of d-dimers and liver enzymes, while inflammatory markers were within the normal range. There were no signs of vasculitis, hypercoagulability or rheumatologic disorders. A high-resolution CT of the chest revealed no signs of pulmonary embolism, alveolar or interstitial lung diseases, but signs of PAH with a widened central pulmonary artery (40 mm), right ventricular dilatation (> 80 mm), regurgitation of contrast medium into liver veins, a circular pericardial effusion and a 300–400 ml pleural effusion of the right side.

Figure 1
figure1

Right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation at initial investigation with transthoracic echocardiography.

Full size image
Figure 2
figure2

Tricuspid insufficiency grade II–III with a morphological normal valve at initial investigation with transthoracic echocardiography.

Full size image

Diagnostic right heart catheter revealed a PAPmean of 56 mmHg (PAPsyst 87 mmHg), a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of 1.128 dyn × sec × cm-5, an impaired cardiac index and a 3 fold increased total peripheral resistance. Testing of pulmonary vasoreactivity showed a reduction of PAPmean from 56 mmHg to 26 mmHg with the PDE-5-inhibitor sildenafil (Table 1).

Table 1 Testing of pulmonary vasoreactivity at initial investigation and after six months of PDE-5 inhibitor therapy with right heart catheter
Full size table

Therefore, treatment with 3 × 25 mg sildenafil per day was initiated. No side effects occurred. After one month, tricuspid insufficiency improved to grade I-II. After six months right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation were reduced. Because of the 2 documented cases of patients with PAH due to therapy with IFNα2 where PAH was reversible half a year after termination of IFNα2 [3, 4] we attempted to terminate sildenafil under control of hemodynamic monitoring. PAPmean increased promptly to 57 mmHg. In this context we could verify the same effectiveness for therapy with vardenafil in comparison to sildenafil. Reduction of PVR was higher in vardenafil vs. sildenafil (Table 1); therefore the therapy was switched from sildenafil to vardenafil 10 mg twice daily. 24 months after onset of PAH the patient felt fine and resumed working. Vardenafil is still necessary to lower her PAP as demonstrated with transthoracic echocardiography: after pausing vardenafil for two days the PAPsyst increased about 40 mmHg, but decreased again 120 minutes after administration of vardenafil. The heart diameter is steadily decreasing (right ventricular outflow tract from 39 to 27 mm and right atrium from 60–65 to 36–44 mm). Regarding the melanoma she remains relapse-free.

Conclusion

IFN α2 is an accepted adjuvant treatment for patients with high risk melanoma [2]. Among the vascular complications reported for IFN are retinopathy [9], cutaneous vasculitis [10], gangrene requiring amputation and biopsy proven pulmonary vasculitis [3]. PAH includes various forms with different etiologies, but similar clinical presentation and functional derangement. Although PAH remains a rare disease, in recent times PAH related to other diseases has been better recognized. These forms are related to systemic connective tissue diseases, thromboembolic disease, congenital heart disease, portal hypertension, HIV infection, or are secondary to the use of drugs. They all result in an indistinguishable histological picture [11]. In addition to common hypertrophy of the tunica media, other proliferative lesions such as intimal thickening or plexiform lesions can be found. Moreover, in situ thrombosis and rarely isolated pulmonary arteritis can be observed in lungs of patients displaying PAH. Different pathomechanisms explaining these morphological changes of pulmonary vasculature have been discussed in the past, including endothelial and thrombocytic dysfunction, vasoconstriction, coagulation abnormalities, or cancer-like growth [12]. It is therefore of interest that IFNα can cause thrombotic microangiopathy which might contribute to the development of PAH [13].

Various cellular pathway abnormalities have been described that may play important roles in the development and progression of PAH [14, 15]. These include altered synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin and endothelin, impaired potassium channel and growth factor receptor function, altered serotonin transporter regulation, increased oxidant stress, and enhanced matrix production [14–17]. However, the relative importance of each of these processes remains unclear. It has been reported, that in sheep IFNα is able to increase the PVR and the PAP by activation of the thromboxane-cascade with elevated levels of thromboxane-B2 in plasma and lung lymph [18]. Studies on the importance of inflammatory mediators, such as chemokines, in the lungs of PAH patients have led to a possible inflammatory component in the development of PAH [19]. This might be of relevance in IFN induced PAH since IFNα is known to induce expression of various chemokines [20].

All PAH result in similar histological remodelling of pulmonary arteries with thickening of the intima, proliferation of the media and plexogenic lesions. Today the pathophysiology of these lesions is much better understood and has resulted in new therapies involving substances such as prostacyclins, endothelin receptor antagonists or PDE-5 inhibitors, aimed not only at dilating arteries but also at preventing their remodelling.

Sildenafil and vardenafil inhibit PDE-5, an enzyme that is abundantly expressed in pulmonary vasculature [21]. PDE-5 is the major guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) degrading phosphodiesterase. PDE-5 gene expression and activity are increased in PAH [22]. Sildenafil binds to the catalytic site of PDE-5 approximately a thousand times more avidly than the natural substrate, cGMP [23]. cGMP is the second messenger of prostacyclin and NO and due to stabilization of this second messenger, therapy with PDE-5 inhibitors leads to prolongation of prostanoid- and NO-related vascular effects [24]. In patients with PAH, short-term application of sildenafil during right heart catheterization showed the potential to reduce PVR in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, the vasodilator effects were significantly stronger than with inhaled NO [25]. Advantages of a potential therapy with PDE-5-inhibitors for PAH are p.o. administration, an excellent safety profile and relatively low treatment costs [26]. A number of studies have shown the effectiveness of a therapy with PDE-5 inhibitors for PAH [25–32]. Because of the low incidence of this condition the number of patients studied is small. One study could show a long-lasting benefit with sildenafil with respect to hemodynamic and clinical parameters over 3, 6 and 12 months [26]. A recently published placebo-controlled and randomized phase III study revealed a significant reduction of PAP, improvement of 6-minute-walk test and reduction of hospitalization due to PAH [32].

Data are rare for the use of different PDE-5 inhibitors other than sildenafil in PAH. The in vitro biochemical potentials of sildenafil and vardenafil are comparable, whereas vardenafil has a binding affinity to PDE-5 more than ten times higher than sildenafil [33]. One could speculate that therapy with vardenafil in PAH could be more effective than with sildenafil due to its higher binding affinity to PDE-5. In a small study with different PDE-5 inhibitors in PAH, the reduction of PAP with sildenafil and vardenafil was comparable, while sildenafil showed surprisingly more selectivity for the pulmonary circulation and a better arterial oxygenation compared to vardenafil [34]. In the case presented our patient responded favorably to both sildenafil and vardenafil.

This is only the 5th case of IFN-induced PAH [3–5, 7]. The previous patients received IFN for CML (three patients) or RCC (one patient). Our patient developed PAH after 2.5 years of adjuvant IFNα treatment, in the other cases the range was from several months up to 22 months after initiation of IFN therapy. In two cases PAH was reversible within 6 months after termination of IFNα therapy. In one case, the patient died 2 years after withdrawal from IFN therapy. An autopsy was not performed, but the authors suggested a systemic microangiopathy caused by IFNα as underlying reason [5]. To the best of our knowledge this is the first documented case where PAH was not reversible after termination of IFNα therapy and there was a need for continuous vasodilator therapy. Treatment with PDE-5-inhibitors had, in this case, a long-lasting beneficial effect. If IFNα treated patients develop respiratory symptoms, PAH should be considered in the differential diagnosis. For these patients PDE-5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil or vardenafil, could be an effective therapeutic approach.

Abbreviations

cGMP:

guanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate

CML:

chronic myelogenous leukemia

CT:

computer tomopgraphy

IFN:

Interferon

PAH:

pulmonary arterial hypertension

PAP:

pulmonary arterial pressure

PDE-5:

phosphodiesterase-5

PVR:

pulmonary vasculature resistance

References

  1. 1.

    Jonasch E, Haluska FG: Interferon in oncological practice: review of interferon biologic clinical applications, and toxicities. Oncologist 2001, 6: 34-55. 10.1634/theoncologist.6-1-34

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. 2.

    Kirkwood J: Cancer immunotherapy: the interferon-alpha experience. Semin Oncol 2002, 29: 18-26.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. 3.

    Al-Zahrani H, Gupta V, Minden MD, Messner HA, Lipton JH: Vascular events associated with alpha interferon therapy. Leuk Lymphoma 2003, 44: 471-475. 10.1080/1042819021000055066

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. 4.

    Anderson P, Hoglund M, Rodjer S: Pulmonary side effects of interferon-alpha therapy in patients with hematological malignancies. Am J Hematol 2003, 73: 54-58. 10.1002/ajh.10319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. 5.

    Fruehauf S, Steider S, Topaly J, Ho AD: Pulmonary artery hypertension during interferon-alpha therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Ann Hematol 2001, 80: 308-310. 10.1007/s002770100298

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. 6.

    Kamisako T, Adachi Y, Chihara J, Yamamoto T: Interstitial pneumonitis and interferon-alpha. BMJ 1993, 306: 896.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. 7.

    Kramers C, de Mulder PH, Barth JD, Wagener DJ: Acute right ventricular heart failure in a patient with renal cell carcinoma after interferon therapy. Neth J Med 1993, 42: 65-68.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. 8.

    Nakamura F, Andoh A, Minamigushi H, Hodohara K, Fujiyama Y, Bamba TA: A case of interstitial pneumonitis associated with natural alpha-interferon therapy for myelofibrosis. Acta Haematol 1997, 97: 222-224.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. 9.

    Kawano T, Shigehira M, Uto H, Nakama T, Kato J, Hayashi K, Maruyama T, Kuribayashi T, Chuman T, Futami T, Tsubouchi H: Retinal complications during interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Am J Gastroenterol 1996, 91: 309-313.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. 10.

    Sangster G, Kaye SB, Calman KC, Toy JL: Cutaneous vasculitis associated with interferon. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 1983, 19: 1647-1649. 10.1016/0277-5379(83)90099-8

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. 11.

    Nicod LP: Pulmonary hypertension. Swiss Med Wkly 2003, 1338: 103-110.

    Google Scholar 

  12. 12.

    Pietra GG, Capron F, Stewart S, Leone O, Humbert M, Robbins IM, Reid LM, Tuder RM: Pathologic assessment of vasculopathies in pulmonary hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004, 43: 25-32. 10.1016/j.jacc.2004.02.033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. 13.

    Politou M, Tsaftarides P, Vassiliades J, Siakantaris MP, Michail S, Nakopoulou L, Pangalis GA, Variopoulos G: Thrombotic microangiopathy in a patient with Sezary syndrome treated with interferon-alpha. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2004, 19: 733-735. 10.1093/ndt/gfg537

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. 14.

    Christman BW, McPherson CD, Newman JH, King GA, Bernard GR, Groves BM, Loyd JE: An imbalance between the excretion of thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolites in pulmonary hypertension. N Engl J Med 1992, 327: 70-75.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. 15.

    Tuder RM, Cool CD, Geraci MW, Wang J, Abman SH, Wright L, Badesch D, Voelkel NF: Prostacyclin synthase expression is decreased in lungs from patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999, 159: 1925-1932.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. 16.

    Mandegar M, Remillard CV, Yuan JX: Ion channels in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2002, 45: 81-114. 10.1053/pcad.2002.127491

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. 17.

    Eddhaibi S, Humbert M, Fadel E, Raffestin B, Darmon M, Capron F, Simonneau G, Dartevelle P, Hamon M, Adnot S: Serotonin transporter overexpression is responsible for pulmonary artery smooth muscle hyperplasia in primary pulmonary hypertension. J Clin Invest 2001, 108: 1141-1150. 10.1172/JCI200112805

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. 18.

    Hanaoka M, Kubo K, Hayano T, Koizumi T, Kobayashi T: Interferon-alpha elevates pulmonary blood pressure in sheep – the role of thromboxane cascade. Eur J Pharmacol 1999, 370: 145-151. 10.1016/S0014-2999(99)00107-7

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. 19.

    Dorfmuller P, Humbert M, Capron F, Muller KM: Pathology and aspects of pathogenesis in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2003, 20: 9-19.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. 20.

    Parlato S, Santini SM, Lapenta C, Di Pucchio T, Logozzi M, Spada M, Giammarioli AM, Malorni W, Fais S, Belardelli F: Expression of CCR-7, MIP-3beta, and Th-1 chemokines in type I IFN-induced monocyte-derived dendritic cells: importance for the rapid acquisition of potent migratory and functional activities. Blood 2001, 98: 3022-3029. 10.1182/blood.V98.10.3022

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. 21.

    Beavo JA: Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: functional implications of multiple isoforms. Physiol Rev 1995, 75: 725-748.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. 22.

    Hanson KA, Burns F, Rybalkin SD, Miller JW, Beavo J, Clarke WR: Developmental changes in lung cGMP phosphodiesterase-5 activity, protein, and message. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998, 158: 279-288.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. 23.

    Corbin JD, Blount MA, Weeks JL, Beasley A, Kuhn KP, Ho YS, Saidi LF, Hurley JH, Kotera J, Francis SH: ( 3 H)sildenafil binding to phosphodiesterase-5 is specific, kinetically heterogeneous, and stimulated by cGMP. Mol Pharmacol 2003, 63: 1364-1372. 10.1124/mol.63.6.1364

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. 24.

    Ghofrani HA, Pepke-Zaba J, Barbera JA, Channick R, Keogh AM, Gomez-Sanchez MA, Kneussl M, Grimminger F: Nitric oxide pathway and phosphodiesterase inhibitors in pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004, 43: 68-72. 10.1016/j.jacc.2004.02.031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. 25.

    Ghofrani HA, Wiedemann R, Rose F, Olschewski H, Schermuly RT, Weissmann N, Seeger W, Grimminger F: Combination therapy with oral sildenafil and inhaled iloprost for severe pulmonary hypertension. Ann Intern Med 2002, 136: 515-522.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. 26.

    Michelakis ED, Tymchak W, Noga M, Webster L, Wu XC, Lien D, Wang SH, Modry D, Archer SL: Long-term treatment with oral sildenafil is safe and improves functional capacity and hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circulation 2003, 108: 2066-2069. 10.1161/01.CIR.0000099502.17776.C2

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. 27.

    Bhatia S, Frantz RP, Severson CJ, Durst LA, McGoon MD: Immediate and long-term hemodynamic and clinical effects of sildenafil in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension receiving vasodilator therapy. Mayo Clin Proc 2003, 78: 1207-1213.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. 28.

    Ghofrani HA, Rose F, Schermuly RT, Olschewski H, Wiedemann R, Kreckel A, Weissmann N, Ghofrani S, Enke B, Seeger W, Grimminger F: Oral sildenafil as long-term adjunct therapy to inhaled iloprost in severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol 2003, 42: 158-164. 10.1016/S0735-1097(03)00555-2

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. 29.

    Ghofrani HA, Schermuly RT, Rose F, Wiedemann R, Kohstall MG, Kreckel A, Olschewski H, Weissmann N, Enke B, Ghofrani S, Seeger W, Grimminger F: Sildenafil for long-term treatment of nonoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003, 167: 1139-1141. 10.1164/rccm.200210-1157BC

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. 30.

    Ghofrani HA, Wiedemann R, Rose F, Schermuly RT, Olschewski H, Weissmann N, Gunther A, Walmrath D, Seeger W, Grimminger F: Sildenafil for treatment of lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2003, 360: 895-900. 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11024-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. 31.

    Prasad S, Wilkinson J, Gatzoulis MA: Sildenafil in primary pulmonary hypertension. N Engl J Med 2000, 343: 1342. 10.1056/NEJM200011023431814

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. 32.

    Ghofrani HA, for the Sildenafil 1140 Study Group: Efficiacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in pulmonary arterial hypertension: results of a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am Coll Chest Phys 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  33. 33.

    Corbin JD, Beasley A, Blount MA, Francis SH: Vardenafil: structural basis for higher potency over sildenafil in inhibiting cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5). Neurochemistry International 2004, 45: 859-863. 10.1016/j.neuint.2004.03.016

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. 34.

    Ghofrani HA, Voswinckel R, Reichenberger F, Olschewski H, Haredza P, Karadas B, Schermuly RT, Weissmann N, Seeger W, Grimminger F: Differences in hemodynamic and oxygenation responses to three different phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a randomized prospective study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004, 44: 1488-1496. 10.1016/j.jacc.2004.06.060

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Schumannstrasse 20/21, Berlin, Germany, 10117

    Nicoline Jochmann, Adrian C Borges, Stephan Eddicks & Gert Baumann

  2. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Skin Cancer Centre, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Felix Kiecker, Maja A Hofmann, Wolfram Sterry & Uwe Trefzer

Authors
  1. Nicoline Jochmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Felix Kiecker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adrian C Borges
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maja A Hofmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Stephan Eddicks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Wolfram Sterry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Gert Baumann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Uwe Trefzer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uwe Trefzer.

Additional information

Competing interest statement

The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

NJ, ACB and GB treated the patient at the cardiology department. ACB, GB and SE performed the cardiological examinations. MAH, FK, WS and UT treated the patient at the dermatology department. NF, FK and UT drafted the manuscript. GB and WS revised the manuscript critically. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Below are the links to the authors’ original submitted files for images.

Authors’ original file for figure 1

Authors’ original file for figure 2

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jochmann, N., Kiecker, F., Borges, A.C. et al. Long-term therapy of interferon-alpha induced pulmonary arterial hypertension with different PDE-5 inhibitors: a case report. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 3, 26 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-7120-3-26

Download citation

Keywords

  • pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • PAH
  • PDE-5 inhibitor
  • interferon-alpha

Cardiovascular Ultrasound

ISSN: 1476-7120

Contact us