Adrenomedullin: A smart road from pheochromocytoma to treatment of pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

In summary, the study by von der Hardt et al. [13] in this issue of the ERJ supports the concept that nebulisation of adrenomedullin is a useful approach to treat pulmonary hypertension without affecting the systemic circulation. Since exogenous adrenomedullin also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties [13, 21, 22], reduces experimental microvascular leakage [24], and ameliorates both sepsis-associated cardiovascular dysfunction [23] and tissue dysoxia [10], adrenomedullin emerges as an interesting addition to the intensive care armentarium. Future studies investigating the safety and efficacy of adrenomedullin in humans with pulmonary hypertension and/or systemic inflammation are warranted. Copyright © ERS Journals Ltd 2004.