Present and Future Options for Pharmacotherapy in Cardiovascular Disease: Hemodynamic and Mechanistic Therapeutic

Francesc Cabré1,2, Marta Cascante1,3,4

  • 1Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.

Insights

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major health burden. This review synthesizes current and emerging pharmacological treatments for hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmias, aiming to improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology
  • Translational Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global mortality.
  • Optimal management of CVD risk factors and long-term outcomes remain challenging, especially with comorbidities.
  • Existing therapies require optimization and innovation for better patient results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of pharmacological options for major cardiovascular diseases.
  • To explore established and emerging therapies targeting hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and electrophysiological pathways.
  • To examine the translational relevance of these therapies for pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) and individualized pharmacotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review synthesizing current literature on CVD pharmacotherapy.
  • Focus on hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  • Discussion of mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, safety, and guideline indications.

Main Results:

  • Established therapies modulate vascular tone, neurohormonal axes, endothelial signaling, and myocardial function.
  • Emerging agents target novel pathways including the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelin, and SGLT2.
  • Shared pathways between systemic CVD and PVD offer opportunities for innovative treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Pharmacological innovation targeting shared vascular, metabolic, and neurohormonal pathways is crucial.
  • Advancing individualized pharmacotherapy holds promise for improving outcomes in both systemic and pulmonary vascular diseases.
  • Addressing unmet clinical needs in CVD management requires continued research and development.

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