Effects of adrenomedullin inhalation on hemodynamics and exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent pulmonary vasodilator peptide. However, whether intratracheal delivery of aerosolized AM has beneficial effects in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension remains unknown. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of AM inhalation on pulmonary hemodynamics and exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS Acute hemodynamic responses to inhalation of aerosolized AM (10 microg/kg body wt) were examined in 11 patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension during cardiac catheterization. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed immediately after inhalation of aerosolized AM or placebo. The work rate was increased by 15 W/min until the symptom-limited maximum, with breath-by-breath gas analysis. Inhalation of AM produced a 13% decrease in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (54+/-3 to 47+/-3 mm Hg, P<0.05) and a 22% decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance (12.6+/-1.5 to 9.8+/-1.3 Wood units, P<0.05). However, neither systemic arterial pressure nor heart rate was altered. Inhalation of AM significantly increased peak oxygen consumption during exercise (peak o(2), 14.6+/-0.6 to 15.7+/-0.6 mL. kg(-1). min(-1), P<0.05) and the ratio of change in oxygen uptake to that in work rate (Deltao(2)/DeltaW ratio, 6.3+/-0.4 to 7.0+/-0.5 mL. min(-1). W(-1), P<0.05). These parameters remained unchanged during placebo inhalation. CONCLUSIONS Inhalation of AM may have beneficial effects on pulmonary hemodynamics and exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.