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Increased pulmonary vascular resistance with systemic hypertension. Effect of minoxidil and other antihypertensive
Abstract:
Recent case reports suggest that pulmonary hypertension could be caused by minoxidil, a new potent vasodilating antihypertensive drug. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence and severity of pulmonary hypertension in 110 patients with systemic hypertension. Fourteen patients were treated with minoxidil for 2 to 35 months (mean 19.9 months), 15 were treated with no drugs, and the remaining 81 patients received conventional antihypertensive agents of several types. Pulmonary vascular resistance correlated positively (P is less than 0.05) with systemic vascular resistance. Minoxidil-treated patients with hypertension previously refractory to conventional therapy had slightly lower pulmonary vascular resistance than other hypertensive subjects. There was no correlation between pulmonary vascular resistance and duration of minoxidil therapy or other types of antihypertensive regimens. The positive correlation between pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance suggests the possibility of a causal hypertension relation in the two vascular beds.
Insights
Minoxidil, a potent antihypertensive drug, was investigated for its potential to cause pulmonary hypertension. This study found no direct correlation between minoxidil use and increased pulmonary hypertension severity in patients with systemic hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Case reports suggest minoxidil, a potent vasodilator antihypertensive, may cause pulmonary hypertension.
- Systemic hypertension affects multiple vascular beds, necessitating investigation into drug-induced effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and severity of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic hypertension.
- To determine if minoxidil treatment is associated with increased pulmonary vascular resistance.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 110 patients with systemic hypertension was studied.
- Patients were categorized into three groups: minoxidil treatment (n=14), no drug treatment (n=15), and conventional antihypertensive agents (n=81).
- Pulmonary vascular resistance was measured and correlated with systemic vascular resistance and treatment regimens.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary vascular resistance positively correlated with systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.05).
- Minoxidil-treated patients with previously refractory hypertension showed slightly lower pulmonary vascular resistance compared to other hypertensive subjects.
- No correlation was found between pulmonary vascular resistance and the duration of minoxidil therapy or other antihypertensive regimens.
Conclusions:
- The positive correlation between pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance suggests a potential causal relationship in both vascular beds.
- Current findings do not support a direct link between minoxidil therapy and increased pulmonary hypertension severity in this patient cohort.