News

Key gene, protein changes seen in people with PoPH in new study

Scientists have identified gene, protein, and signaling pathway alterations in the livers of people with portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) — a form of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) usually associated with liver disease — that could reflect underlying mechanisms of the rare disorder. Compared with liver disease patients without PoPH, those…

Breathing workout strengthens muscles, exercise capacity: Study

Engaging in inspiratory muscle training for eight weeks may help people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) strengthen their respiratory (breathing) muscles and gain exercise capacity, a study suggests. This is important because inspiratory (breathing in) muscle training may offer a non-invasive approach to improve the quality of life and overall…

Echocardiography useful in detecting PH, predicting its course

Echocardiography, a noninvasive imaging method to examine heart structure and function, can be useful in making a preliminary diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension and in determining its likely course, according to a review study. “In future, it is important to use multiple echocardiographic parameters for detection and predicting the prognosis…

PAH Today broadcast series returns with advice on managing disease

The PAH Initiative‘s PAH Today national broadcast series returns in September and November with presentations from a pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) specialist for adult patients and their caregivers on managing the disease. This year’s series, which offers insights and perspectives on coping with PAH, includes two programs covering…

Cognitive deficits seen in PAH may be due to blood vessel remodeling

About one-quarter of the pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients in a small study showed cognitive deficits, typically mild impairments in executive function and memory. Problems in abilities like executive function — a set of skills that include thinking, self control, and readily accessible memory that’s part of everyday life…

Blood biomarkers seen that may help in diagnosing, managing PAH

Certain proteins implicated in the immune response and inflammation showed a potential to serve as blood biomarkers of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a recent study. A possible diagnostic biomarker was seen in the TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) protein. It demonstrated an ability to distinguish PAH patients not only…

Study links advanced PAH to diabetes

Roughly one in four people with idiopathic (of unknown cause) pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) also have diabetes, a disease that causes high blood glucose (sugar), a multi-center Polish study found. Having diabetes was linked to more advanced pulmonary vascular disease and worse survival, which held true even after accounting…


A Conversation With Rare Disease Advocates