title: Therapeutic advances in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
abstract: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by vasoconstriction, in situ thrombosis, and vascular remodeling of small pulmonary arteries inducing increased pulmonary arterial resistance. Conventional treatment is based on life style modification and nonspecific treatment (warfarine, diuretics, oxygen). Calcium channel blockers are vasodilatators that have been shown to be of great efficacy in a very specific subpopulation of patients with PAH. For the majority of patients, specific PAH therapies are still lacking. Numerous studies evaluating prostacyclin agonists, endothelin-receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are now available to guide therapeutic choices. Despite those important advances there is still no cure for PAH. Fortunately, research is ongoing and many drugs show promises.
authors.affiliation: Université Paris-Sud 11, Centre des Maladies Vasculaires Pulmonaires, Service de Pneumologie et Réanimation respiratoire, Hôpital Antoine-Béclère, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Clamart, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boutet
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montani
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jaïs
authors.forename: Azzedine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaïci
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sitbon
authors.forename: Gérald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonneau
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Humbert
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000531:Altitude; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003267:Contraception; D000075202:Contraindications; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000628:therapy*; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000628:therapy; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D011247:Pregnancy; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents