Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

In a new study entitled “Endothelial NO-Synthase Gene-Enhanced Progenitor Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: The PHACeT Trial,” researchers performed the first human trial to investigate the therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in repairing the damaged vessels in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients who have failed to…

In a new study entitled “Signaling pathways underlying skeletal muscle wasting in experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension,” researchers investigated the potential mechanisms underlying patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension characteristic skeletal muscle abnormalities. The researchers identified that muscle loss is prompted by accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondrias and ineffective removal of damaged…

In a new study titled “Symptom Interference Severity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension,” researchers determined which symptoms experienced by people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are most self-limiting and interfering in daily quality of life. The study was published in the…

In a new study entitled “Vagotomy attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice,” researchers investigated the role of the vagus nerve in pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis. They established a mouse model and discovered that the vagus nerve regulates pulmonary fibrosis progression by controlling pro-fibrotic factors. The study was published in…

In a new study entitled “Trends in Hospitalization for Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension,” researchers performed a retrospective study where they analyzed data concerning hospitalizations of children with pulmonary hypertension. The study was published in the journal Pediatrics. Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which high blood pressure…

In a recent study entitled “Lupus-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Variable Course and Importance of Prompt Recognition”, researchers present a case study of a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exhibiting pulmonary arterial hypertension, a potentially lethal SLE-manifestation. They highlight the need for a prompt recognition of PAH in…

Results showing the safety of Esbriet (pirfenidone) in treating interstitial lung disease due to systemic sclerosis were recently presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Esbriet (pirfenidone), which is currently marketed by Roche, as a…

In a recent study entitled “Akt inhibitor, triciribine, ameliorates chronic hypoxia-induced vascular pruning and TGFβ-induced pulmonary fibrosis,” researchers show that triciribine is a potential new treatment for interstitial lung disease, particularly pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. The study was published in the British Journal of…

In a recent study entitled “An excellent result of surgical treatment in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension following mitral valve disease,” authors analyzed recent outcomes and mortality rates for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension who underwent mitral valve surgery. They observed a significant decrease in the number of deaths…

In a new study entitled “Salidroside attenuates chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension via adenosine A2a receptor related mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway,” the authors report on the beneficial effects of salidroside in treating hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension by decreasing arterial remodeling and promoting pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells apoptosis. The study was…

In a study titled “Increased prevalence of EPAS1 variant in cattle with high-altitude pulmonary hypertension,” researchers discovered two genetic variants responsible for brisket disease in cattle that may provide clues to human conditions associated with pulmonary hypertension. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications. High-altitude…

In a new study entitled “Relationship between pulmonary hypertension, peripheral vascular calcification, and major cardiovascular events in dialysis patients,” the authors identify a relation between pulmonary hypertension and increase risk for cardiovascular problems in dialysis patients. The study was published in the journal for…