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…

Long COVID syndrome can be common among people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), affecting more than 60% of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a study from Poland. Despite the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms, no change was evident in the patients’ risk of…

Developing chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) within two years after a venous thromboembolism (VTE), which occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, nearly doubles the risk of long-term death, according to a large study from Denmark. Researchers also observed that all types of pulmonary hypertension (PH)…

MRE-269, an active metabolite of Uptravi (selexipag), is more effective at stopping the growth of lung cells from people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) than it is in healthy lung cells, a study found. Researchers also discovered that MRE-269 may do this by increasing the activity of ID1…

More than half of people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) may experience symptoms during sexual activity, such as difficulty breathing (dyspnea), heart palpitations, and chest pain, a small study found. However, around 2 in 3 patients don’t consider it important to bring up the topic of sexuality to their…

Oral Uptravi (selexipag) provided similar clinical benefits for adults with connective tissue disease (CTD) associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) as for those without CTD, according to a health claims database analysis. PAH patients with CTDs treated with Uptravi in real-world settings had similar risks of disease progression…

Researchers have identified a significant risk factor that affects the prognosis of people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in a large 26-year study. They found that elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP), a measure of left heart function, was common in patients and predicted worse outcomes. Pulmonary hypertension…

Referral to a specialized chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) center for follow-up treatment after a pulmonary embolism (PE) — a blood clot that blocks an artery in the lungs — is more likely if patients live closer to the center and have access to a primary healthcare provider, a…

Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) — two treatment approaches for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) — significantly improved blood flow dynamics and functional capacity in patients given either procedure, a study from Norway reported. PEA was more effective at reducing pressure and resistance in the lungs’…

A peptide called apelin-17 may be used as a diagnostic biomarker for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), according to the results of a new study. Apelin-17 levels were found to detect IPAH with an accuracy similar to NT-proBNP and GDF-15 — two established biomarkers for pulmonary hypertension (PH)…

True love isn’t just found in fairy tales. Terese Tuohey met her Prince Charming, Timothy (Tim) Tuohey, at a dance. They fell in love, married, and will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in October. In an email interview, I asked if they view their marriage as rare. They agreed they…

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with high utilization of healthcare resources by patients and with productivity loss, starting years before diagnosis, according to a study in Sweden. “The economic and clinical burden associated with PAH suggests that strategies for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments are warranted,” researchers…