Novel Experimental Therapies for Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Ronald Zolty Pulmonary Hypertension Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lied Transplant Center, Omaha, NE, USACorrespondence: Ronald Zolty 982265 Nebraska Medical Center, Room 8712, Omaha, NE, 68198-2265 Tel +1 4025595591Fax +1 4025598355Email ronald.zolty@unmc.eduAbstract: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and devastating disease characterized by pulmonary artery vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling leading to vascular rarefaction with elevation of pulmonary arterial pressures and pulmonary vascular resistance. Often PAH will cause death from right heart failure. Current PAH-targeted therapies improve functional capacity, pulmonary hemodynamics and reduce hospitalization. Nevertheless, today PAH still remains incurable and is often refractory to medical therapy, underscoring the need for further research. Over the last three decades, PAH has evolved from a disease of unknown pathogenesis devoid of effective therapy to a condition whose cellular, genetic and molecular underpinnings are unfolding. This article provides an update on current knowledge and summarizes the progression in recent advances in pharmacological therapy in PAH.Keywords: pulmonary hypertension, investigational drugs, vascular remodelling, animal models, clinical trials, new drug targets, toxicity