Pulmonary hypertension and fenfluramine

Of 40 patients with obstructive pulmonary hypertension studied in Basle, Switzerland, during the period 1966-68, 32 had been taking an anorectic drug, aminorex fumarate. Rapidly progressing exertional dyspnoea, central chest pain, and syncope on effort were characteristic features. The absence of the usual causes of pulmonary vascular disease seems to suggest the possibility of drug-induced pulmonary hypertension. Further studies are necessary, however, to clarify the role of aminorex fumarate in this condition.