Volume 17: Issue 1

It is uncommon, if not downright rare, that a novel intervention in health care has the capacity to improve medical care quality and lower its cost at the same time—but such has been the slow but steady path of hospice and palliative care. Although still evolving, the field's evidence base continues to support what its leaders have been speaking and writing for decades: there is a science to pain/symptom management; patient-family-provider communication is an intervention deserving of training that can lead to better clinical outcomes; people with serious illness suffer physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually—alleviating their distress requires an expert

Our patient, as seen through the eyes of a palliative medicine team

This 43-year-old woman presents a history that serves as a valuable foundation for discussion of need for a structured platform for delivery of palliative care for persons with pulmonary arterial hypertension and associated right heart failure; as such, her case vignette is succinctly reviewed, with emphasis placed on features relevant to this topic.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease with high associated morbidity and mortality despite the development of novel therapies. Palliative care is a multidisciplinary field focused on optimization of quality of life and overall supportive care for patients and their families in the setting of life-limiting illness. Although the benefits of palliative care in oncology are well described, there are few studies regarding the timing and involvement of palliative care in PH patients. In this paper, we describe the importance of longitudinal advance care planning, including suggestions for addressing difficult topics such as end-of-life care, and the role of palliative care providers in helping guide these discussions throughout the course of the illness.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease in which the illness as well as the associated treatment can be particularly burdensome. Previously considered to be uniformly fatal, PAH treatment and management has improved with an extended survival. However, this can come with symptom burden. Burden can be associated with the disease itself in addition to the treatment aimed at ameliorating these symptoms. This article explores both the use of PAH-directed therapy as well as traditionally supportive treatment strategies for palliation of symptoms in those with PAH. As highlighted in the patient case described throughout this issue, patients are constantly weighing the benefits and burdens of treatment during each step of their journey.

Editor's Memo

Guest Editors' Memo

A Case of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: If Only!

Organization and Delivery of Palliative Care for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Case-based Discussion

Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning in Pulmonary Hypertension

Treatment and Palliation of Symptoms in Patients With Advanced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Palliative Care and Pulmonary Hypertension

Holistic Care for Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

Might Rebranding Palliative Care Improve its Integration into Treatment for Those Patients Diagnosed With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Conference Abstracts

Guest Editor’s Memo

A Roundtable Discussion Addressing Patient-Centered Care and Quality of Life in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Editor’s Memo

Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Parenchymal Lung Disease