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Published on: May 11, 2015
[Therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension]
R Voswinckel1, F Reichenberger, H Gall
1Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik 2/4/5, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Deutschland.
Insights
This article outlines current treatment guidelines for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe lung condition. It details basic and specific therapies, emphasizing expert center care and emerging treatments for PAH patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- International guidelines for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment were last updated in 2008.
- Current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are based on the 4th World Congress of PAH.
- PAH is classified under group 1 of the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic classification.
Purpose:
- To present an overview of current therapy recommendations for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
- To detail the basic and specific treatment modalities for PAH patients.
- To introduce novel therapeutic agents in advanced clinical development for PAH.
Summary:
- Treatment recommendations for group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PAH) are presented, based on international guidelines.
- PAH management involves basic therapies (anticoagulants, diuretics, oxygen) and specific therapies (PDE-5 inhibitors, ERA, prostanoids).
- Expert center management and novel drug development are highlighted for improved PAH patient outcomes.
Impact:
- Provides clinicians with updated therapeutic strategies for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Highlights the importance of specialized care centers for PAH diagnosis and treatment.
- Informs about the potential of new pharmaceutical agents to advance PAH management.
Abstract:
Current international guidelines on the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are compiled by the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Chest Physicians. The classification of pulmonary hypertension and guidelines on diagnosis and therapy were last adopted at the 4th World Congress of PAH in Dana Point (California) in the year 2008. Based on these guidelines this article presents an overview of the current therapy recommendations for patients with PAH corresponding to group 1 of the diagnostic WHO classification of pulmonary hypertension. Here it is recommended that diagnostic and therapy should be carried out in an expert centre. The therapy forms for PAH can be classified into basic therapy (e. g. oral anticoagulants, diuretics and oxygen therapy) and specific therapy (e. g. phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists and prostanoids). Finally, some new substances will be presented which have already progressed relatively far in the clinical development.
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