Nitric Oxide Therapeutics in Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Abstract

Clinical trials of inhaled nitrite to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are ongoing. The pathogenesis of PAH involves smooth muscle hypertrophy as a result of endothelial dysfunction and/or chronic vasoconstriction. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator and a primary therapeutic pathway for PAH. This review will address some of the emerging PAH treatment strategies utilizing the NO pathway.