Systematic Review of the Application of Pulmonary Hypertension Treatments in Ventricular Septal Defect, Pulmonary Atresia, and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries

Background: Pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs), a life-threatening congenital heart defect (CHD), is frequently associated with abnormal pulmonary blood flow and vascular remodeling, causing hypoxia and heart failure. Segmental pulmonary hypertension (PH), a distinct PH type, may exist in some patients. Pulmonary vasodilators have been considered for treatment; however, evidence of their efficacy and safety remains lacking. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and Ichushi Web, encompassing studies from inception to May 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on patients with PA/VSD/MAPCAs treated with PH medications. Results: Of 86 studies screened, 6 met the inclusion criteria, including 1 cohort study and 5 case reports, comprising 22 patients. The most frequently administered medications were sildenafil (14 cases) and bosentan (12 cases), with 16 patients receiving monotherapy. Clinical improvements were observed in pulmonary vascular resistance (8/8 patients), oxygen saturation (8/19 patients), and symptoms (19/21 patients). Adverse effects were noted in five patients, including treatment discontinuation in two. Conclusions: PH medications may benefit some patients with PA/VSD/MAPCAs; however, the extremely limited sample size (n = 22) and substantial heterogeneity in anatomy, age, surgical status, and treatment regimens severely limit interpretability and clinical applicability. Considering the potential benefits and risks associated with these medications, their use should be considered cautiously and restricted to specialized centers with expertise in CHD and PH management.