Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of participants.
| Variable | Control (n = 42) | Experimental (n = 42) |
|---|---|---|
| Demographics | ||
| Age in years, mean ± SD | 47.28 ± 15.6 | 51.45 ± 13.7 |
| Male/Female, n (%) | 29/13 | 22/20 |
| Height in cm, mean ± SD | 152.8 ± 13.3 | 150.8 ± 11.9 |
| Weight in Kg, mean ± SD | 51.8 ± 14.7 | 54.4 ± 14.3 |
| BMI in Kg/m2, mean ± SD | 21.9 ± 4.7 | 23.8 ± 5.4 |
| Group 1, n (%) | 17 (40.5) | 17 (40.5) |
| Idiopathic PAH | 10 (23.8) | 5 (11.9) |
| Connective tissue disease | 0 | 3 (7.1) |
| Portal hypertension | 1 (2.3) | 0 |
| Congenital heart disease | 6 (14.3) | 9 (21.4) |
| Group 2, n (%) | 5 (11.9) | 7 (16.7) |
| Left ventricular systolic dysfunction | 2 (4.8) | 5 (11.9) |
| Valvular disease | 1 (2.4) | 1 (2.4) |
| Congenital/acquired left heart inflow/outflow tract obstruction | 2 (4.8) | 0 |
| Group 3, n (%) | 10 (23.8) | 10 (23.8) |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 5 (11.9) | 6 (14.3) |
| Interstitial lung disease | 2 (4.8) | 1 (2.4) |
| Mixed restrictive and obstructive pattern | 2 (4.8) | 2 (4.8) |
| Sleep-disordered breathing | 1 (2.4) | 1 (2.4) |
| Group 4, n (%) | 10 (23.8) | 6 (14.3) |
| Group 5, n (%) | 0 (0) | 2 (4.8) |
| Pulmonary hypertension–specific therapies | ||
| Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, n (%) | 37 (88.1) | 34 (80.9) |
| Endothelin receptor antagonists, n (%) | 4 (9.5) | 1 (2.4) |
| Diuretics, n (%) | 41 (97.6) | 41 (97.6) |
| Anticoagulants, n (%) | 40 (95.2) | 38 (90.4) |
| Digoxin, n (%) | 20 (47.6) | 18 (42.9) |
| Calcium channel blockers, n (%) | 4 (9.5) | 3 (7.1) |
| Outcome measures | ||
| WHO-FC, median (IQR) | 2 (2, 3) | 3 (2, 3) |
| WHO class I, n (%) | 7 (16.7) | 4 (9.5) |
| WHO class II, n (%) | 17 (40.5) | 16 (38.1) |
| WHO class III, n (%) | 17 (40.5) | 21 (50) |
| WHO class IV, n (%) | 1 (2.4) | 1 (2.4) |
| 6MWD in meters, mean ± SD | 265.8 ± 88.5 | 277.3 ± 102.1 |
| SF36: PCS | 40.6 ± 7.1 | 40.8 ± 8.3 |
| SF36: MCS | 40.4 ± 8.9 | 42.7 ± 8.6 |
| RVSP in mmHg, median (IQR) | 78.5 (65, 105.2) | 80 (60, 92.2) |
| TR velocity in m/s, median (IQR) | 4.33 (3.86, 4.9) | 4.03 (3.53, 4.52) |
| TAPSE in mm, mean ± SD | 13.85 ± 2.59 | 14.47 ± 2.88 |
SD, standard deviation; BMI, body mass index; WHO-FC, World Health Organization – functional class; IQR, interquartile range; 6MWD, 6-minute walking distance; SF36, Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form – 36; RVSP, right ventricular systolic pressure; TR, tricuspid regurgitation.