Korean J Med.  2000 Sep;59(3):277-282.

Survival and prognostic factors in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension

• Chun KJ
• Hong TJ
• Shin YW

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Primary pulmonary hypertension(PPH) that affects predominantly young and productive people, is a progressive fatal disease of unknown cause. The objectives of this study were to characterize mortality in patients with PPH and to investigate the factors associated with their mortality.
METHODS
Thirteen patients with PPH were enrolled between 1988 and 1996 and followed up through July 1999. Measurements at diagnosis included hemodynamic and pulmonary function variables in addition to information on demographic data and medical history.
RESULTS
1) The mean age of the patients with PPH enrolled into the study was 36.1+/-9.3 years with female predominance. 2) The estimated median survival was 3.4+/-0.6 years. 3) Decreased cardiac index was the only significant predictor of mortality(Cox proportional hazards model).
CONCLUSION
Patients with PPH have a high mortality. In this limited study with a small number of patients, mortality is largely associated with decreased cardiac index.

Keyword

Hypertension; Pulmonary; Survival; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Female
Hemodynamics
Humans
Hypertension
Hypertension, Pulmonary*
Mortality
Prognosis