An overview of the pathogenesis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension: Part 1

Abstract

While pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is a relatively uncommon condition, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The significance of this severe condition is further elevated as it affects primarily young adults. Traditional treatment of PHT has been unsatisfactory and is associated with poor responses and a high incidence of treatment related complications. Fortunately, with better understanding of the pathophysiology of PHT, the prognosis of these patients has been slowly improving in recent years. In Part I of this article, some of the advances in this area will be highlighted. As a result of this development, novel treatment is now available for the treatment of PHT. This will be reviewed in Part II of the article.