Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets
Published on: May 11, 2015
Emerging therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Omar Ali1, John Wharton, John Simon Russell Gibbs
1Imperial College London, Experimental Medicine & Toxicology, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension treatments focus on vascular tone, but new strategies target proliferation and apoptosis. Research is exploring combination therapies for this complex condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pulmonary Hypertension Research
Background:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves increased pulmonary vascular resistance from vascular tone and structural remodeling.
- Current therapies aim to correct endothelial dysfunction and reduce vasomotor tone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the limitations of current PAH treatments regarding vascular remodeling.
- To discuss emerging strategies targeting vascular proliferation and apoptosis in PAH.
- To explore the potential of combination therapies for PAH management.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in understanding PAH pathophysiology.
- Analysis of novel therapeutic targets and early clinical trial data.
- Investigation into the synergistic effects of combining established PAH treatments.
Main Results:
- Current treatments inadequately address the structural remodeling component of PAH.
- Novel therapeutic targets inhibiting vascular proliferation and promoting apoptosis are emerging.
- Combination therapy strategies are under active investigation for improved PAH outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Effective PAH treatment requires addressing both vascular tone and structural remodeling.
- Emerging therapies offer new hope for inhibiting pathological vascular changes.
- Combination therapy represents a promising future direction for managing pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...

