News

Interferon Therapy Seen as Notable Risk Factor for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare complication in hepatitis C or multiple sclerosis patients using interferon α or β therapy, but still one that’s substantially more common in these people than in the general population, suggesting a link between the therapy and PAH, researchers reported. Type I interferons, including interferon α and β, are naturally occurring compounds in the body,…

Monitor Implant Aids in Evaluating PAH Patients on Therapy, Including Iron Supplements

A case report of a pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patient who used an implanted hemodynamic monitor illustrates that improvements in pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricle afterload with a “simple therapy” like oral iron supplements are both possible and measurable. The study, “Hemodynamic response to treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pulmonary arterial hypertension:…

New Software Creates Virtual 3-D Hearts to Help Better Guide Treatment

Scientists at Imperial College London have designed software that creates virtual 3-D versions of patients’ heart motion, helping doctors to determine likely outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) with greater accuracy, and possibly improve their treatment. The technology uses cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests, and other clinical observations, according to…