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A variety of biomarkers are elevated in the serum of patients with systemic sclerosis-pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH). Researchers have mostly been studying these markers to determine if they can be used to help diagnose SSc-PAH or if they can serve as targets for new treatments. Alternatively, a study from Northwestern…

Results from a recent study published in the journal Advance Therapy, showed that pirfenidone (known by the brand name Esbriet from Roche) is effective and has a safety profile consistent with those seen in the Phase III clinical study ASCEND for the treatment of IPF. According to…

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…

Epigenetics is a fast-growing research field that scientists are applying to many different areas of medicine, such as cancer, peripheral hypertension and asthma. Can the study of epigenetics be useful for understanding and treating pulmonary arterial hypertension as well? A recent article, titled “Epigenetic modulation as a therapeutic…

Derrik Neal was first diagnosed with an idiopathic form of pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) 17 years ago, during a time when this rare, fatal disease had a grim survival rate of 5 years at most. His earliest symptoms first manifested as shortness of breath, which he simply related to his…

Every year in July, 25 children diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension are invited to attend a special summer camp where they can experience a few safe, fun-filled and educational days of camping without having to worry about the limitations their condition imposes on them. Pulmonary hypertension is a fatal cardiopulmonary condition with an…

In May 2015, a retired Marine, minister, teacher, truck driver, and fire fighter, Don Stevenson a.k.a. “The Pacing Parson,” challenged himself to walk 3,000 miles from Auburn to Silver Springs, Md., all for the sake of raising funds and awareness for pulmonary hypertension — a fatal cardiopulmonary disease. Covering about 25-30 miles…

A research journal recently reviewed the use of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), a new option for people with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension. The work, titled “Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension“ appeared in the July 7, 2015 issue of…

Researchers at Skåne University Hospital and Lund University in Sweden recently reported new insights into the respiratory and cardiovascular hemodynamics in heart failure patients, prior to and after heart transplant, both at rest and during exercise. The study was published in the Journal of the…

Northwestern Medicine has appointed Dr. Stuart Rich as director of the newly launched Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, where he will also serve as professor of medicine-cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Rich, an accomplished innovator in the field of pulmonary hypertension, brings over…

Connective tissue diseases that largely affect bone, cartilage, and fat can sometimes be associated with pulmonary hypertension. Since not all patients with connective tissue disease will eventually develop pulmonary hypertension, it is important to be aware of how pulmonary hypertension can be found in the subset of affected patients. A…

A new study recently published in the journal Circulation Research revealed encouraging results in the world’s first clinical trial using a genetically-enhanced stem cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The study is entitled “Endothelial NO-Synthase Gene-Enhanced Progenitor Cell Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: the…