An imaging technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT) can effectively determine abnormalities in the lung vasculature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study shows. The study, “Optical coherence tomography evaluation of pulmonary arterial vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis,” appeared in the journal Scientific…
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The discovery of a molecular factor that triggers blood clots in lung arteries may explain why chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) often occurs in patients without traditional clotting risk factors, according to a study. Researchers think the factor, called activated TAFI, could be used to identify those with CTEPH. And…
A variation in the gene sequence of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is associated with a susceptibility to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), new research from China shows. SOD2 is an antioxidant enzyme that transforms the superoxide radical into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. The study, “Role for Functional SOD2 Polymorphism in Pulmonary Arterial…
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients who take statins live longer than those who don’t — despite similar histories of hospitalization in both groups. That’s the conclusion of a retrospective analysis by researchers at New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who also found that statin use had no effect on survival rates in…
Inhaled Revatio (sildenafil) appears to be superior to current oral forms of this approved pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment by allowing for lower doses and potentially fewer systematic side effects, researchers report. They also recommend that a nebulized form of Revatio be produced and moved into clinical testing in patients. The study reporting this finding, “Inhaled Sildenafil As An…
Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) caused by connective tissue disease benefit from treatment with Adcirca (tadalafil), but their outcomes aren’t as good as patients with idiopathic PAH, an analysis of data from two clinical trials indicates. Safety was a particular problem with connective tissue disease patients, the evaluation…
People newly diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in Portugal have survival rates similar to those in other developed countries — and much better than the life expectancy of PAH patients some 30 years ago, a new study found. Moreover, those patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) — whose outcomes are generally poor —…
Paris-based biotechnology company Mifcare is getting support from the French pulmonary hypertension patients’ association HTaPFrance for the development of new anti-inflammatory therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Melanie Gallant-Dewavrin, director of HTaPFrance, said promoting research to fight PAH is one of her association’s goals, “which is why I do not hesitate to…
A majority of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have abnormalities in the lower left chamber of the heart, or left ventricle (LV), according to a new study. These patients tend to be older and to have higher blood pressure in the arteries supplying the lungs when the heart muscle…
Eliminating a long noncoding RNA reduced heart-muscle enlargement in mice with pulmonary hypertension (PH), according to a study. The RNA, known as MALAT1, balances the turnover — or production, growth and death — of smooth muscle cells lining blood vessels. MALAT1 stands for metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1. The study, “…
A small group of stem cells may help repair the lungs of those with pulmonary hypertension (PH), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung conditions, according to a study. The body may recruit very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) from bone marrow to the bloodstream so they can reach areas…
A recent article that presented case studies of three patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH), highlights the diversity of the underlying causes of the disease, and emphasizes the importance of diagnosing it early. The study “Rheumatoid arthritis associated pulmonary hypertension: Clinical challenges reflecting the diversity of pathophysiology”…
