Transition From Subcutaneous or Inhaled Treprostinil to Oral Treprostinil at Home in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Retrospective Case Series

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive condition that can lead to right ventricular failure and death. Treprostinil is a prostacyclin analogue that has proven clinical efficacy in patients with PAH. Difficulties in the administration of inhaled and parenteral prostacyclins led to the development of extended-release treprostinil diolamine for oral use. Limited data exist on the transition to oral treprostinil. The purpose of this case series is to describe the transition from subcutaneous or inhaled treprostinil to oral treprostinil in the outpatient setting. With the current availability of oral prostacyclins and prostacyclins analogues, most transitions to oral therapy are done in the hospital setting resulting in increased cost and risk of hospital-acquired infections. Four patients on background phosphodiesterase type 5 therapy with baseline World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC) II PAH were transitioned at home. Three of the 4 patients were safely transitioned as outpatients and maintained WHO FC II status at 10 and 12 months. The fourth patient had worsening right heart failure and was admitted within 2 months of the transition and started back on parenteral prostacyclin therapy. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) increased in patients transitioning from inhaled therapy and decreased in the patient transitioning from subcutaneous therapy. The most common adverse event was nausea.