Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: Two children with gradual disease progression

Respir Med Case Rep. 2016 Dec 29:20:82-86. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2016.12.007. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis are rare forms of pulmonary vascular disease. We report two cases of affected children who had evidence of pulmonary hypertension 3-5 years before developing radiographic findings of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease or pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis. Both patients experienced a moderate decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure during acute vasodilator testing. Both patients experienced an improvement in six-minute walk performance without an increase in pulmonary edema when treated with targeted therapy for pulmonary hypertension. In some patients, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis may progress slowly over a period of months to years. A favorable acute vasodilator response may identify patients who will tolerate, and demonstrate transient clinical improvement with, medical therapy.

Keywords: PCH, Pulmonary Capillary Hemangiomatosis; PVOD, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis; Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports