The vasodilator Adempas (riociguat) increases the ability of endothelial progenitor cells to halt vascular remodeling and enhance formation of new blood vessels in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), according to a new in vitro (in the lab) study. This may be particularly helpful for CTEPH patients…

A lot can change in five years, especially when someone has chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A group of doctors at the University of Würzburg and Katharinen-Hospital Unna in Germany followed a 68-year-old woman for five years, from the time of her visiting the clinic with shortness of…

Vanderbilt Heart & Vascular Institute (VHVI) is offering a novel and specialized surgical approach for treating patients suffering from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a form of pulmonary hypertension (PH) that can cause breathing difficulties, acute pulmonary embolism, or blood clots in the lung. Even though the condition…

Inhalation treatment that uses either nitric oxide or Ventavis (iloprost) is equally effective in managing lingering high lung blood pressure after surgery for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A comparison of the two treatments — published in the journal General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery under the title, “A prospective, randomized study…

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…

Understanding the science behind chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has come a long way since, originally, a diagnosis was made postmortem. Although it is commonly underdiagnosed and undertreated, CTEPH can be cured via pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), a technique that dates back almost to the first diagnosis of CTEPH. “At the…

Many people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension or CTEPH have a particular anatomical variation called May-Thurner anatomy, which may increase the risk of developing this rare disease type, according to researchers. A new study found this anomaly is very common in individuals with CTEPH, with nearly 30% of patients…

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.

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…

An international study to assess clinical practices in the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) found several differences in CTEPH management among regions, but also a gap between guideline procedures and real-life practice of diagnosis and treatment. The study, “An International Physician Survey of…

The discovery of a molecular factor that triggers blood clots in lung arteries may explain why chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) often occurs in patients without traditional clotting risk factors, according to a study. Researchers think the factor, called activated TAFI, could be used to identify those with CTEPH. And…