Tadalafil for Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Chronic Lung Disease

The functional, social, and economic burden of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) on the healthcare system is extraordinary. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and some estimates attribute up to $33.2 billion in health care costs to COPD-associated morbidity and mortality annually. The burden of COPD to the VA Healthcare system parallels these findings. According to the VA HSR&D Health Economics Resource Center, COPD ranks 5th among the 40 most common chronic clinical conditions in the U.S. Veteran patient population, is responsible for >14,000 VA hospital admission annually, and increases by $1,051/patient the total annual health care cost burden on the VA Healthcare system. Importantly, COPD is associated with frequent emergency room visitation and/or hospitalization patients. Pulmonary hypertension is a common co-morbid condition that worsen morbidity and mortality in patients with COPD. This study will examine the potential for tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor to improve functional status by decreasing pulmonary hypertension. Results from this study are expected to define the potential use of PDE-5 inhibitors in COPD-induced pulmonary hypertension. If successful, this treatment option may improve quality of life and outcomes for the large number of Veterans afflicted with PH due to COPD.