Pulmonary arterial wedge pressure increase during exercise in patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Background The course of pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) during exercise in patients with pulmonary arterial or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PAH/CTEPH), further abbreviated as pulmonary vascular disease (PVD), is still unknown. The aim of the study was to describe PAWP during exercise in patients with PVD. Methods In this cross-sectional study, right heart catheter (RHC) data including PAWP, recorded during semi-supine, stepwise cycle exercise in patients with PVD, were analysed retrospectively. We investigated PAWP changes during exercise until end-exercise. Results In 121 patients (59 female, 66 CTEPH, 55 PAH, 62 +/- 17 years) resting PAWP was 10.2 +/- 4.1 mmHg. Corresponding peak changes in PAWP during exercise were +2.9 mmHg (95% CI 2.1-3.7 mmHg, p<0.001). Patients >= 50 years had a significantly higher increase in PAWP during exercise compared with those <50 years ( p<0.001). The PAWP/cardiac output (CO) slopes were 3.9 WU for all patients, and 1.6 WU for patients <50 years and 4.5 WU for those.50 years. Conclusion In patients with PVD, PAWP increased slightly but significantly with the onset of exercise compared to resting values. The increase in PAWP during exercise was age-dependent, with patients >= 50 years showing a rapid PAWP increase even with minimal exercise. PAWP/CO slopes >2 WU are common in patients with PVD aged >= 50 years without exceeding the PAWP of 25 mmHg during exercise.