Novel Treatment Pathways in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe and progressive vascular disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, proliferation, and inflammation. Despite the availability of effective treatments, PAH may culminate in right ventricular failure and death. Currently approved medications act through three well-characterized pathways: the nitric oxide, endothelin, and prostacyclin pathways. Ongoing research efforts continue to expand our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this complex and multifactorial disease. Based on recent discoveries in the pathobiology of PAH, several new treatments are being developed and tested with the goal of modifying the disease process and ultimately improving the long-term prognosis.