Gabriel F. Diaz, Carlos E. Diaz‐Castrillon, Alicia Marquez Garcia, Rachel K. Hopper, Vinicio de J. Perez
Universidad Nacional De Colombia. University of Pittsburgh. Centro Policlínico Del Olaya and Clínica De La Mujer. Stanford University School of Medicine.
Columbia and United States
Pulmonary Circulation
Pulm Circ 2025; 15:
DOI: 10.1002/pul2.70017
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) at high altitudes presents unique characteristics due to hypobaric hypoxia. We aimed to evaluate the association between early diagnosis and clinical outcomes among children with severe PH living at high altitudes. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 86 children, divided into three age groups at the time of diagnosis: ≤3, 3-10, and ≥10 years. The median age at diagnosis was 4 years, with 48% of patients under 3 years old. Over a median follow-up of 6 years (interquartile ranges 2.5-8), 10% had a follow-up exceeding 15 years. Mortality rates were lowest in those diagnosed before age 3 (22% vs. 48% vs. 25%, p = 0.06). Responders to the prolonged hyperoxia test (PHT) were younger and had a significantly lower mortality hazard ratio (0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.08-0.70; p = 0.01). Early detection of PH in children living at high altitudes is associated with a higher likelihood of having a positive response to the PHT and subsequently, lower mortality rates. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis in improving long-term outcomes for this population.
Category
Class I. Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension
Class I. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Congenital Cardiovascular Disease
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Disease
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Hypoplasia
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Alveolar Hypoxia
Diagnostic Testing for Pulmonary Vascular Disease. Non-invasive Testing
Diagnostic Testing for Pulmonary Vascular Disease. Invasive Testing
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes