Medeical Therapy For Pulmonary Arterial Hypertention.

Choi, Hye Sook; Lee, Sang Do

doi:2006.60.2.142

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 60(2); 2006 > Article

Review Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2006;60(2):142-150.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.60.2.142 Published online February 1, 2006.

Medeical Therapy For Pulmonary Arterial Hypertention.

Hye Sook Choi, Sang Do Lee

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Korea. sdlee@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is often difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat. Untreated, it is characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance leading to right ventricular failure and death. The past decade has seen remarkable improvements in therapy, driven largely by the conduct of randomized controlled trials. Still, the selection of most appropriate therapy is complex, and requires familiarity with the disease process, evidence from treatment trials, complicated drug delivery systems, dosing regimens, side effects, and complications. We tried to provide evidence?based treatment recommendations for physicians involved in the care of these complex patients. Due to the complexity of the diagnostic evaluation required, and the treatment options available, it is strongly recommended that consideration be given to referral of patients with PAH to a specialized center.

Key Words: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension(PAH), Vasodilator, Calcium-channel blockers, Prostanoid, Endothelin Antagonist, Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor, Nitric Oxide