[Course and prognosis of primary pulmonary hypertension]

Between 1967 and 1970 primary pulmonary arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 52 patients. Menocil had been taken by 36 patients. Overall survival rate after 9 years was 0.58. Mortality was particularly high within 2 years after the diagnosis was established (22%). Survival rate was low in the group with pulmonary vascular resistance exceeding 1000 dynes-sec-cm-5 (0.42 after 9 years). Initially slight pulmonary hypertension generally had a good prognosis but even severe pulmonary hypertension can regress or even disappear. With respect to survival rate, there were no significant differences between patients with and without Menocil intake.