A Real‐World Study on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Bulgaria: A Single‐Center Retrospective Study From 2012 to 2022

<b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treated at a major reference center in Bulgaria and to assess treatment patterns, patient compliance, and overall survival. <b>Principal Results:</b> The epidemiological data revealed that 69.5% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 52 years. The majority of patients were diagnosed at advanced stages of PAH, with 92.1% classified as World Health Organization Functional Class III. Monotherapy was the most common treatment regimen, used by 61.4% of patients, despite advanced disease. Patients who adhered to treatment demonstrated significantly longer overall survival (78.9 months) compared to those lost to follow-up (50.8 months). The study also identified a 31% rate of noncompliance, with patients missing follow-up visits and becoming ineligible for further therapy. <b>Major Conclusions:</b> The findings highlight the need for earlier diagnosis and more aggressive treatment strategies, as monotherapy appears insufficient for optimal outcomes in advanced PAH. Establishing a national PAH registry and increasing disease awareness could facilitate earlier interventions and improve patient outcomes in Bulgaria.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cardiology Research and Practice
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/crp/5579064
Primary Topic
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
Type
article
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article

A Real‐World Study on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Bulgaria: A Single‐Center Retrospective Study From 2012 to 2022

Daniel Penchev, Damyan Boychev, Arman Postadzhiyan, Vasil Velchev et al.
Cardiology Research and Practice
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
article

A Real‐World Study on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Bulgaria: A Single‐Center Retrospective Study From 2012 to 2022

Daniel Penchev, Damyan Boychev, Arman Postadzhiyan, Vasil Velchev, M Nacheva, Simona Markova, É. A. Petrova, Sarkis Kalustian, Mihaela Manolova
article en

Abstract

<b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treated at a major reference center in Bulgaria and to assess treatment patterns, patient compliance, and overall survival. <b>Principal Results:</b> The epidemiological data revealed that 69.5% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 52 years. The majority of patients were diagnosed at advanced stages of PAH, with 92.1% classified as World Health Organization Functional Class III. Monotherapy was the most common treatment regimen, used by 61.4% of patients, despite advanced disease. Patients who adhered to treatment demonstrated significantly longer overall survival (78.9 months) compared to those lost to follow-up (50.8 months). The study also identified a 31% rate of noncompliance, with patients missing follow-up visits and becoming ineligible for further therapy. <b>Major Conclusions:</b> The findings highlight the need for earlier diagnosis and more aggressive treatment strategies, as monotherapy appears insufficient for optimal outcomes in advanced PAH. Establishing a national PAH registry and increasing disease awareness could facilitate earlier interventions and improve patient outcomes in Bulgaria.

Cardiology Research and PracticeVol. 2025(1)
Medical University of Sofia (BG), Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BG), Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (BG)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 82%
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
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