title: [Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension].
abstract: The pathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by vascular vasoconstriction, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and thrombosis. Experimental studies have shown the beneficial effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors on pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasodilatation. Randomized clinical trials in monotherapy or combination therapy have been conducted in PAH with sildenafil and tadalafil which significantly improve clinical status, exercise capacity and hemodynamics of PAH patients. Combination therapy of PDE-5 inhibitors with prostacyclin analogs and endothelin receptor antagonists may be helpful in management of PAH. The third PDE-5 inhibitor, vardenafil, is currently being investigated in PAH. Side effects are usually mild and transient and include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, digestive disorders, and myalgia.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Universitesi Kardiyoloji Enstitüsü, Kardiyoloji Anabilim Dali, Istanbul, Türkiye.
authors.forename: Kadriye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiliçkesmez
authors.forename: M Serdar
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Küçükoğlu
mesh_terms: D002243:Carbolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068581:Tadalafil; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines; D007093:Imidazoles; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate