Treatments for Pulmonary Hypertension

Up until 1990, there were very few treatments available for pulmonary arterial hypertension and the projected survival rate was two to four years. Since that time, a number of treatments have become available that are able to slow progression of the disease and even reverse some of the damage to lungs and heart. Still newer treatments are in the research phase or in clinical trial stages. Before a treatment can be prescribed, it is important for the treating physician to determine the underlying cause for the increased pressures a patient has and, if possible, determine the cause of PAH. If an underlying disease or condition can be found, treatment of this disease or condition should be part of your overall PAH care.
 

Currently Approved Therapies for the Treatment of PAH in the U.S.:

• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Prostacyclin
• Endothelin Receptor Antagonists (ETRAs)
• PDE-5 Inhibitors
• Transplant
• PTE (pulmonary thromboendarterectomy)

Therapy which may be used in conjunction with treatments for Pulmonary Hypertension::

• Nitric Oxide
• Diuretics
• Digitalis
• Oxygen
• Anticoagulants (e.g. Coumadin, Warfarin)

Under FDA Review

 Page Revised:  November 2010

In The News

• July 21, 2012
• Targeted Approaches to the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension
• February 5, 2012
• Treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Current Treatments and Future Prospects