A new procedure, performed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Illinois, successfully treated a patient with pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by blood clots formed in the lung vessels, a condition referred to as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

Inspiratory muscle weakness aggravates shortness of breath caused by exertion and lung function capacity in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a study has found. The study, “Inspiratory muscle weakness contributes to exertional dyspnea in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension,” was published in the journal PLOS One. CTEPH is a…

Arterial stiffness, a marker of atherosclerosis, is significantly greater in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) compared to people with other diseases that also put them at risk of atherosclerosis, researchers report. The study, “Increased systemic arterial stiffness in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension,” was published…

Actelion Pharmaceuticals has filed a request with the European Medicines Agency for the expanded approval of Opsumit (macitentan) as a treatment for adults with moderate to severe inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), the company announced. If the EMA approves the submitted type II variation to…

Estimated survival in patients with either pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is worse if they also have atrial arrhythmias, according to a new U.S. study. The study, “Atrial arrhythmias are associated with increased mortality in pulmonary arterial hypertension,” was published…

Adempas therapy significantly improves lung and heart function in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) previously treated off-label with sildenafil, according to a Polish study. The study reporting the findings, “Sequential treatment with sildenafil and riociguat in patients with persistent or inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension improves…

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and their caregivers can now access myMentor, a U.S. support program established by Bayer. The company launched the program at the International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions that recently concluded in Orlando, Florida, and was organized by…

Surgery to remove blood clots from the arteries improves pulmonary hypertension (PH) symptoms but not underlying sleep disorders in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), according to a study. The study, “Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Reversal of pulmonary hypertension but not sleep-disordered breathing following…

Larger pulmonary hypertension (PH) registries are needed to advance knowledge about this disease and improve patient care, a new study emphasizes. The report outlines data from a Latvian PH registry and compares it with registries across Europe — and recommends combining registries. With internet access now common and worldwide, patient…

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) may be an inherited genetic disease, a new study suggests. The results were recently presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2018 annual conference May 18-23 in San Diego. CTEPH, a rare form of pulmonary hypertension, is caused by blood clots that travel to the…

Direct oral anticoagulants — a type of blood thinner medication — are a safe and effective treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), according to a small study. The study, “Use of direct oral anticoagulants for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension,” was published in the journal Clinics.

Actelion Pharmaceuticals submitted a supplemental new drug application to U.S. regulatory authorities seeking expanded approval for Opsumit (macitentan) to treat inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration application is based on promising results from the Phase 2 MERIT-1 clinical trial (NCT02021292) that…