Connective Tissue Disease and PH: A Complex Relationship

From PHA's 2012 International PH Conference
In this session, we will review the characteristics of scleroderma and pulmonary hypertension, focusing on the multiple ways scleroderma causes PH and the impact of the involvement of other organs, such as the heart, kidneys and muscles. Our multi-disciplinary panel including specialists in pulmonology, rheumatology and cardiology will discuss recent developments in the treatment of this disease and answer questions from the audience.
Panelists: Virginia Steen, MD, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (Chair); Christine Archer-Chicko, MSN, CRNP, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa.; Aryeh Fischer, MD, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, Colo.; James Klinger, MD, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, R.I.

[@MLXJARIS]

Thank you for posting this. It is informative information that helps my family understand my disease.

[@PHAssociation]

We are glad that you found this information helpful. We will be posting a new video on connective tissue disease this year.

[@remedyfarm]

Thank you soooo much for putting this up!!

[@laurawilliams5363]

This conference has a lot about the challenges we face with an autoimmune disease. I was dx w/ SSc 5 yrs ago and my 1st sx was SOB. These autoimmunes are not only challenging for us but for our providers.

[@danacaro-herman3530]

What's SSc?

[@laurawilliams5363]

@@danacaro-herman3530 It is scleroderma, I have diffuse systemic scleroderma as well as multiple myeloma (MM)

[@danacaro-herman3530]

@@laurawilliams5363 Take care of yourself Laura, sending love and prayers your way.~blessings my friend. Dana🙏♥️

[@laurawilliams5363]

@@danacaro-herman3530 Thank you!

[@danacaro-herman3530]

@@laurawilliams5363 I have Pulmonary Sarcoidosis which has caused an enlarged spleen and other complications. I also have hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and asthma. I had to leave my position as an RN Laura because I was too exhausted to work.

[@faithf5846]

Prolotherapy or PRP can usually help if a patient has persistent back, neck, shoulder, knee, and other ligament pain that cannot be seen on an x-ray or MRI. Unfortunately both Prolotherapy & PRP are sadly are usually not covered under most insurance plans. Ehlers Danlos syndrome patients can greatly benefit.

[@nylapotter4605]

Wonder how many of these patients have retained Gadolinium retention?

[@tequilasunrise950]

How much does Eosinophilia have to do with this. Does it contribute to systemic atherosclerosis.

[@phylr3983]

My high rnp levels were discovered after borrellia burgdorferi specific igg antibodies were identified in my blood. Could untreated lyme have triggered this autoimmune disease?

[@cbryce9243]

I wonder how many of these people have undiagnosed celiac disease? The woman on the far right was describing it to a t. Celiac is the most common autoimmune disease, why is it not tested much?