Endothelin receptor antagonists for pulmonary arterial hypertension: an overview.
The last decade has seen major advances in the pharmacotherapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). One of these advances has been the discovery of endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs). ERAs are a class of potent vasodilators and antimitotic substances, which could specifically dilate and remodel pulmonary arterial system, and have been proposed as an alternative to traditional therapies for PAH. Current available evidence suggests that ERAs improve exercise capacity, functional status, pulmonary hemodynamics, and delay the time to clinical worsening for patients with PAH. This review attempts to provide an overview of the pharmacology, therapeutic benefits, and safety profile of ERAs in patients with PAH.
Raja
Shahzad G
SG
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK. drrajashahzad@hotmail.com
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D065627:Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D016232:Endothelins; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D014665:Vasodilator Agents