De-escalation of Oxygen Therapy and Medication in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension After Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty

There is no consensus on the adjustment of home oxygen therapy (HOT) and pulmonary hypertension (PH)-specific medications after balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We aimed to examine the status of de-escalation and discontinuation of HOT and PH-specific medications post-BPA and clarify its effect on hemodynamics, biomarkers, and long-term outcomes.From November 2012 to May 2018, 135 consecutive patients with CTEPH who underwent BPA at a single university hospital were enrolled (age, 63.5 ± 13.5 years; World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC) II, III, IV; 34, 92, 9).The mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 37.7 ± 11.3 to 20.4 ± 5.1 mm Hg 1 year post-BPA (P < 0.01). The proportion of patients who required HOT and combination medical therapy (≥ 2 PH-specific medications) decreased 1 year post-BPA (from 58.5% to 7.4% and from 40.0% to 10.4%, respectively). Baseline factors influencing the requirement of HOT and combination medical therapy post-BPA were almost identical (ie, lower exercise capacity and pulmonary diffusion capacity and worse hemodynamics). Regardless of their discontinuation, the improved hemodynamics, functional capacity (WHO-FC), and biomarkers (B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin T) were almost maintained, and no adverse 1-year clinical outcomes (all-cause death and PH-related hospitalization) were observed.Most patients with CTEPH discontinued HOT and PH-specific combination medical therapy post-BPA, which was not associated with the deterioration of hemodynamics, functional capacity, or biomarkers. No long-term adverse outcomes were observed.