Key result
Despite advances in therapies such as prostacyclin agonists, endothelin-receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, there is still no cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This review highlights the evolution of PAH treatments from conventional therapies to specific targeted agents, emphasizing that while advances have been made, a definitive cure remains elusive.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by vasoconstriction, in situ thrombosis, and vascular remodeling of small pulmonary arteries inducing increased pulmonary arterial resistance. Conventional treatment is based on life style modification and nonspecific treatment (warfarine, diuretics, oxygen). Calcium channel blockers are vasodilatators that have been shown to be of great efficacy in a very specific subpopulation of patients with PAH. For the majority of patients, specific PAH therapies are still lacking. Numerous studies evaluating prostacyclin agonists, endothelin-receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are now available to guide therapeutic choices. Despite those important advances there is still no cure for PAH. Fortunately, research is ongoing and many drugs show promises.
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Boutet et al. (2008) conducted a review in Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Prostacyclin agonists, endothelin-receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors was evaluated. Despite advances in therapies such as prostacyclin agonists, endothelin-receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, there is still no cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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