Advances in the treatment of secondary pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs frequently in parenchymal lung disease and is usually correlated with increased mortality. Thus, the treatment of PH in patients with lung disease has been an active area of interest. Secondary pulmonary hypertension (SPH), whether from parenchymal lung disease or other etiologies, is more common than primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). In 2002, two new medications, oral bosentan and subcutaneous treprostinil, were released for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These new agents are not restricted to use in PPH, as they are approved for use in PAH in general. It is reasonable to consider the use of these medications in select patients with SPH caused by parenchymal lung disease, although these groups have not yet been studied in clinical trials. The initial hemodynamic evaluation of SPH patients, the potential use of these new medications in the context of standard care, and the assessment of response to therapy are discussed in this update. A relevant case report is used to illustrate use of these new agents in SPH, and ongoing clinical trials are reviewed. The available treatment options for patients with SPH are rapidly improving.