Current pathophysiological concepts and management of pulmonary hypertension

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Andre P Lourenco (Author) FMUP; Fontoura, D (Author) Other; Henriques-Coelho, T (Author) FMUP; Leite-Moreira AF (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Cardiology

Vol. 155 No. 3

Pages: 350-361

ISSN: 0167-5273

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 43 Citations

Scopus - 44 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-C0S

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.05.066

Abstract (EN): Pulmonary hypertension (PH), increasingly recognized as a major health burden, remains underdiagnosed due mainly to the unspecific symptoms. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been extensively investigated. Pathophysiological knowledge derives mostly from experimental models. Paradoxically, common non-PAH PH forms remain largely unexplored. Drugs targeting lung vascular tonus became available during the last two decades, notwithstanding the disease progresses in many patients. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advances in epidemiology, pathophysiology and management with particular focus on associated myocardial and systemic compromise and experimental therapeutic possibilities. PAH, currently viewed as a panvasculopathy, is due to a crosstalk between endothelial and smooth muscle cells, inflammatory activation and altered subcellular pathways. Cardiac cachexia and right ventricular compromise are fundamental determinants of PH prognosis. Combined vasodilator therapy is already mainstay for refractory cases, but drugs directed at these new pathophysiological pathways may constitute a significant advance.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12