Introduction:

There have been few studies on the behaviour of pulmonary hypertension in paediatrics in the Peruvian population. Even in the world, there is insufficient information. Thus, there is a need to develop studies and registers in order to focus on a timely diagnosis and treatment.

Material and methods:

A retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study was performed. Patients from 3 months to 15 years of age and with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, and subjected to a haemodynamic study by cardiac catheterisation in INCOR (National Cardiovascular Institution) were included between January 2015 and December 206 (2 years).

Results:

Out of a total of 57 patients diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, 51% were males of whom 22% came from an altitude greater than 2,500 metres above sea level. The age group were predominantly from 1 -3 years. Just under half (49% were functional class II, and 16% had Down’s syndrome. Left ventricular growth (LVG) +/- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was the most frequent cardiac disease. Group 1 1(NICE 2013) was the most frequent with 51 (89.5%) cases. Within this, the group associated to congenital heart disease (48 cases) is highlighted, while 6 cases (10.5%) were classified in Group 2. The most frequent mean pulmonary arterial pressure was greater than 40 mm Hg, with a mild to moderate increase in indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (iPVR and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)/ pulmonary vascular resistance (PVS). Vasoreactivity tests were performed on 14 (24%) patients, which was positive in 12 of the 14 cases. Surgical repair of the defect was decided in 52% of cases.

Conclusion:

This study forms the first register of pulmonary hypertension in Peruvian children, in which it was found that children with this disease have their own characteristics, according to the different groups. Likewise, the relationship with congenital cardiac disease was important. Timely and prognostic treatment is recommended, since the vascular compromise can be present clinically non-significant states.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )