title: Thrombotic arteriopathy and anticoagulation in pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: The role of thrombotic arteriopathy in the pathophysiology of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and the use of anticoagulants in the treatment of IPAH are currently controversial issues. This article reviews the evidence for a role of vascular thrombosis in the pathophysiology of IPAH. There is sufficient biological rationale to support the notion that thrombotic arteriopathy is an important pathophysiologic feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and that its progression materially contributes to disease progression. To date, the data from observational studies suggest that anticoagulation with warfarin is an effective intervention in patients with IPAH. Its efficacy in other causes of PAH remains speculative.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Sindhu R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Granton
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants