Progressive dyspnoea in a patient with idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension

Short abstract

This case of progressive dyspnoea in a 43-year-old with idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension highlights important pulmonary vascular complications of chronic liver disease https://bit.ly/3rwEkhP

A 43-year-old gentleman was referred to a pulmonologist for further assessment of a 3-year history of progressive dyspnoea on exertion. His background was significant for idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, for which he underwent splenectomy and portosystemic shunt formation as a child to manage complications related to hypersplenism. His medical history was also notable for mild kyphoscoliosis. He was a lifelong nonsmoker and denied alcohol consumption or illicit drug use.

He reported New York Heart Association functional class II dyspnoea and denied other cardiorespiratory symptoms including chest pain, orthopnoea, limb oedema or syncope. Examination revealed normal resting saturations of 98% on room air in the standing and supine positions. There was grade 1 digital clubbing and normal vesicular breath sounds on auscultation. Cardiovascular examination revealed a right ventricular heave, a loud pulmonary component of the second heart sound (P2) and he was euvolemic.

In light of these signs an echocardiogram with right heart protocol was requested.

Task 1

Which feature(s) on echocardiography is/are suggestive of pulmonary hypertension (PH), as per the 2015 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH in a symptomatic patient?

• a) Flattening of the intraventricular septum

• b) Peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity >3.4 m·s⁻¹

• c) Pulmonary artery diameter >10 mm

• d) Right ventricle/left ventricle basal diameter ratio >1.0

• e) Peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity ≤2.8 m·s⁻¹

Answer 1

Correct answers:

a. Flattening of the intraventricular septum

b. Peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity >3.4 m·s⁻¹

d. Right ventricle/left ventricle basal diameter ratio >1.0

These echocardiography signs are suggestive of PH in symptomatic patients [1].

Incorrect answers:

c. Pulmonary artery diameter >10 mm

e. Peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity ≤2.8 m·s⁻¹

A pulmonary artery diameter >25 mm can be suggestive of PH when observed in combination with other echocardiographic features. A peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity ≤2.8 m·s⁻¹ indicates a low probability of PH when other signs of PH are absent.

Echocardiography demonstrated a dilated right atrium and right ventricle, a pulmonary artery diameter of 34 mm and a peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity of 3.85 m·s⁻¹. The left heart was normal in size and function.

These echocardiographic features suggested a high pretest probability of PH and a right heart catheterisation was requested to assess this further (table 1).

TABLE 1.

Right heart catheterisation revealed a precapillary pattern of PH with mPAP >20 mmHg, PAWP <15 mmHg and PVR >3 WU

Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP)	46 mmHg
Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)	6.25 Wood Units (WU)
Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)	11 mmHg
Mean right atrial pressure	6 mmHg
Cardiac output	5.6 L·min−1
Pulmonary artery saturations	74%

The right heart catheterisation revealed a precapillary pattern of PH (table 1). Potential aetiologies of PH were explored. Investigations including autoimmune and hepatitis serology, spirometry, ventilation/perfusion (Vʹ/Qʹ) imaging and computed tomography chest were all normal. Hepatic synthetic function was normal and there was no evidence of cirrhosis on liver imaging. Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated portal hypertension, which was consistent with the patient's known history of same.

Task 2

Given the above findings and in the context of established portal hypertension what is the most likely aetiology of PH in this case?

• a) Hepatopulmonary syndrome

• b) Chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis

• c) Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

• d) Portopulmonary hypertension

• e) Left heart disease

Answer 2

Correct answer:

d. Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) is defined by concomitant portal hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PoPH is the most likely cause of PH in this case given the patient's history of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension since childhood.

Incorrect answers:

a. Hepatopulmonary syndrome is defined by arterial desaturation due to intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVDs), platypnoea (dyspnoea that worse when standing when compared with the supine position) and orthodeoxia (desaturation when moving from the supine to upright position). The PVR is typically low in light of pulmonary vasodilatation. This diagnosis is less likely but requires further investigations including arterial blood gas and contrast enhanced echocardiography to definitively exclude the same.

b. Chronic respiratory failure due to kyphoscoliosis is unlikely to be the primary cause of PH in this case as the patient has normal spirometry and it is described as mild.

c. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension has been excluded by normal Vʹ/Qʹ imaging. Risk factors for this condition in this case include a history of splenectomy.

e. Left heart disease is also unlikely, due to normal left heart size and function on echocardiography and the precapillary pattern of PH on right heart catheterisation, with an associated PAWP <15 mmHg.

The patient was diagnosed with PoPH due to idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Task 3

Which of the following statements regarding PoPH is true? (One correct answer)

• a) PoPH only occurs in patients with advanced cirrhosis

• b) The prescription of a β-blocker for prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in these cases may be associated with deleterious effects on exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodynamics

• c) PoPH is an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation

• d) Endothelin receptor antagonists are contraindicated due to potential liver toxicity

Answer 3

Correct answer:

b. The prescription of a β-blocker for prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in these cases may be associated with deleterious effects on exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodynamics [2].

Incorrect answers:

a. PoPH only occurs in patients with advanced cirrhosis. This is incorrect. PoPH can occur in patients with portal hypertension with or without concomitant liver disease [3]. In this case the patient developed PoPH in isolated portal hypertension and in the absence of concomitant cirrhosis.

c. PoPH is an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation. A diagnosis of PoPH is not an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation. However, pulmonary haemodynamics (including mPAP and PVR) and right ventricular function should be incorporated in the pre-transplant assessment, as right heart dysfunction could result in graft congestion and malfunction [4]. Furthermore, severe PoPH is considered an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation in most centres [5].

d. Endothelin receptor antagonists are contraindicated due to potential liver toxicity. This is incorrect. Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) can be prescribed for PoPH, although the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors is more common [6, 7]. ERAs were evaluated in adult patients with PoPH and Child–Pugh class A and B cirrhosis in the phase 4 PORTICO study and no hepatic safety concerns were observed [8]. However, drug-induced liver injury is a potentially serious adverse effect and therefore liver function tests should be monitored at periodic intervals.

The patient commenced double combination therapy with a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor and an ERA and he remains well 7 years following this diagnosis.

Discussion

This case of PoPH in a 43-year-old gentleman highlights important pulmonary vascular complications of chronic liver disease.

PoPH is defined as PAH associated with portal hypertension and is allocated to group one PAH [9, 10]. It can develop in patients with portal hypertension with or without concomitant liver disease, such as in this case of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension [3]. The histopathology is indistinguishable from other PAH subgroups and is characterised by intimal proliferation, smooth muscle hypertrophy and plexiform lesions [9, 11]. However, the epidemiology and pathobiology are incompletely defined [9]. The reported incidence and prevalence of PoPH are heterogeneous, and registry data indicate that it may account for 5% to 17.6% of PAH cases [6, 12]. Reduced hepatic clearance of vasoactive mediators, pathogens and toxins have been implicated in the pathobiology of PoPH [9]. Increased shear stress due to augmented blood flow through the pulmonary vasculature associated with high cardiac output may also play a role [9].

Right heart catheterisation is required to diagnose PAH and demonstrate a mPAP >20 mmHg, PAWP <15 mmHg and PVR >3 WU [13]. While the severity of PoPH may be graded by mPAP values (table 2), it is important to consider additional haemodynamic parameters and right heart function. Invasive measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient (>5 mmHg) was considered the gold standard to diagnose portal hypertension, however, noninvasive techniques such as doppler ultrasonography are increasingly employed [14]. Furthermore, it should be noted that the hepatic venous pressure gradient may be normal in patients with extrahepatic portal hypertension.

TABLE 2.

Key features of PoPH and hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS)

	PoPH	HPS
Portal hypertension	Always present	Always present
Chronic liver disease	Sometimes present	Sometimes present
PVR	High	Low
Diagnostic characteristics	Demonstration of PAH: mPAP >20 mmHg; PVR >3 WU; PAWP <15 mmHg	Demonstration of intrapulmonary vascular dilatation and increased A–a gradient (≥15 or 20 mmHg)
Key investigations	Right heart catheterisation	Arterial blood gas Contrast enhanced echocardiography and/or lung perfusion scanning
Grading of severity	mPAP: Mild: 25–34 mmHg Moderate: 35–44 mmHg Severe: ≥45 mmHg	Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood: Mild: ≥80 mmHg Moderate: ≥60–80 mmHg Severe: ≥50–60 mmHg Very severe: <50 mmHg
Treatment	Supportive measures# PAH specific therapy Liver transplantation¶	Supportive measures# Embolisation/coiling of large IPVDs/AVMs Liver transplantation

AVM: arteriovenous malformation; A–a: Alveolar–arterial. ^#: supportive measures including supplemental oxygen therapy, diuretics, nutrition and exercise; ^¶: while PoPH may improve post liver transplant, severe PoPH is a contraindication to liver transplantation.

Treatment of PoPH consists of individualised supportive measures and PAH specific therapy. β-blocker therapy for primary or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding should be prescribed on a case-by-case basis, as they may have detrimental effects on exercise tolerance and pulmonary haemodynamics [2]. Similarly, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement has no role in the management of PoPH and may increase right ventricular preload and precipitate right heart failure [10]. Careful patient selection and preoperative optimisation of PoPH are associated with a 5-year post liver transplant survival of 78–81% [6, 15].

However, while PoPH can improve post liver transplantation, severe PoPH often precludes liver transplantation due to the high perioperative mortality [10, 16]. A mPAP threshold of >50 mmHg is often considered an absolute contraindication to the same due to the 100% cardiopulmonary mortality in one meta-analysis [16].

HPS is another important pulmonary vascular complication of portal hypertension. While PoPH is characterised by PH and increased PVR, isolated HPS is typically associated with intrapulmonary vasodilatation and reduced PVR. However, as PoPH and HPS can occur in the same individual, this can confound the clinical picture somewhat. HPS is classified by a triad of arterial desaturation due to intrapulmonary vasodilatation, platypnoea (dyspnoea which is worse in the upright position) and orthodeoxia (a decrease in partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (P_aO2) of ≥5% in the standing position) [9]. Intrapulmonary vasodilatation in HPS may manifest as precapillary and capillary IPVDs, discrete AVMs or a combination of both. These typically occur in the lower lobes and account for worsening of ventilation–perfusion mismatch in the standing position, as blood flow is increased to the dependent lower lobes [17].

A diagnosis of HPS requires demonstration of IPVDs and an increased alveolar–arterial oxygen gradient (>15 mmHg) [9]. The severity of disease is subsequently graded by reductions in the P_aO2 (table 2) [9]. HPS can be classified as type 1 HPS if there are diffuse IPVDs, and type 2 HPS if the primary pathology are discrete pulmonary AVMs. Relevant investigations include arterial blood gas, contrast enhanced echocardiography and/or lung perfusion scanning with macro-aggregated albumin and occasionally pulmonary angiography [9]. Liver transplantation is potentially curative in this condition and pulmonary vascular abnormalities frequently resolve post-transplant [18].

This case of PoPH in a 43-year-old man with progressive dyspnoea on a background of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and splenectomy highlights important diagnostic and treatment considerations in these complex cases.