The cardiac hormone known as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) controls blood pressure both throughout the body and in the lungs. Researchers previously believed that ANP’s hypotensive effect in the lungs was mediated by changes in the smooth muscle that lines pulmonary blood vessels. But scientists now report that the hormone facilitates…
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Women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are often sedentary, and the lack of daily activity results in physical and mental feelings of low energy, according to a study published in the journal Chest. The study, “Physical Activity and Symptoms in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension,” suggested that interventions to improve…
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and the hormone aldosterone are two potential biomarkers for disease progression in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, according to a recent study, “Galectin-3 and aldosterone as potential tandem biomarkers in pulmonary arterial hypertension,” published in the journal Heart. Aldosterone, a steroid hormone that is responsible…
In a new study, researchers at the University of Vermont developed a set of synthetic molecules that can successfully modulate the protein kinase 1alpha (PKG 1α), known to be involved in smooth muscle contraction. The protein is a potential therapeutic target for a range of conditions, including pulmonary hypertension.
SoniVie recently announced that it has completed the first two procedures in an initial clinical trial evaluating TIVUS system (Therapeutic Intra-Vascular Ultrasound) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). TIVUS is a therapeutic catheter inserted into the pulmonary artery to selectively damage nerves associated with PAH disease activity, without touching vessel walls…
Researchers found that key immune cells, called regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg), are dysfunctional in all forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but the nature of the alterations differ among subtypes of the disease. Specifically, Treg dysfunction is leptin-dependent in idiopathic PAH (iPAH) and connective tissue disease-associated PAH, and leptin-independent in heritable PAH. Their study,…
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have a poorer prognosis, according to a review from the Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science, which strongly recommended clinicians pay attention to the simultaneous presence of these conditions, as early diagnosis and management might improve survival.
Drugs chronically blocking the vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R), such as tolvaptan, may harm people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by contributing to the remodeling of lung blood vessels, according to a new study. The study, “Detrimental Impact of Vasopressin V2 Receptor Antagonism in a SU5416/Hypoxia/Normoxia-Exposed Rat Model of…
German researchers evaluating a possible new biomarker for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) found that the molecule, known as chemokine CXC ligand 13 (CXCL13), was higher in the blood serum and lung tissue of people with PAH — suggesting a pathogenic role but one short of serving as a disease marker. The report,…
Recent advances made, and insights gained, in clinical and preclinical research into pulmonary hypertension were highlighted in a Clinical Year in Review article published in the journal European Respiratory Review. The article, “Pulmonary hypertension,” offers hope that pulmonary hypertension might become a well-managed, and potentially even…
In this video from CHEOvideos, watch Dr. Kyle Cowan, pediatric surgeon and scientist at CHEO, talk about his research on diaphragmatic hernias in infants. “These types of hernias can lead to poor lung development, pulmonary hypertension and even death. Dr. Cowan and his team have…
A systematic review of clinical trial data showed that exercise training improves exercise capacity and the quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The study concluded that exercise training should, like medications, be a recommended treatment for PAH. The study, “Effects of Exercise…
