Pulmonary hypertension in HIV-infected patients

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) appears to be more frequent and more rapidly progressive in HIV+ patients than in the general population. We describe 2 cases of PH in HIV+ patients disclosed by right-side heart failure. The patients were ex-intravenous drug users. On had AIDS and the other was asymptomatic. Both patients had cured hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C anti both died 10 and If months after PH diagnosis. Pulmonary hypertension is a likely diagnosis in HIV+ patients with unexplained dyspnea. For primary PH patients, HIV+ serology should be performed. There is probably an indirect mechanism linking PH and HIV The role of associated chronic hepatitis C is unknown. Treatment of PH is symptomatic using diuretics, calcium-channel inhibitors, and anticoagulation, but with no real efficacy in terms of prognosis. Antiretroviral therapy is recommended. In the future treatment with epoprostenol ma-v perhaps provide improvement in the prognosis of PH in HIV+ patients.