Volume 5: Issue 4

The scientific program of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association is guided by the association’s Scientific Leadership Council. The Council includes the following health care professionals:

David B. Badesch, MD, SLC Chair, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
Robyn J. Barst, MD, SLC Immediate Past Chair, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center Babies Hospital, New York, New York
Vallerie V. McLaughlin, MD, SLC Vice-Chair, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Raymond L. Benza, MD, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
Todd Bull, MD, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
Richard N. Channick, MD,

The development of intravenous epoprostenol was an exciting advance in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, offering patients improved functional capacity and prolonged survival. However, this form of therapy is complicated, requiring an indwelling central venous catheter, with attendant risks of infection, thrombosis, and dislodgement. The desire to simplify therapy and improve safety has led to a variety of oral agents, generally classified as endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. An oral prostanoid is also under development.

Victor F. Tapson, MD

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The prostanoids have revolutionized treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Intravenous, subcutaneous, and inhaled formulations are approved for use in the United States, while oral preparations are being investigated (Table). Prostacyclin (PGI2; epoprostenol; Flolan) is an endothelium-derived prostaglandin with potent pulmonary and systemic vasodilatory and antiplatelet aggregation properties.1–6 Continuous intravenous epoprostenol has been widely used in patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), resulting in substantial clinical benefit and improvement in survival.1–3 Favorable observations have also been made in other forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension,

This discussion was moderated by Vallerie V. McLaughlin, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Panel members included Richard N. Channick, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, California; Ivan M. Robbins, MD, Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; and Victor F. Tapson, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Reflecting on Progress in PH and Appreciating the Contributions of Our Physicians

The Scientific Leadership Council of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association

Victor Tapson, MD: Clinical Trialist, Role Model, and Mentor to the Next Generation of PH Specialists

Oral Therapies for PAH: State-of-the-Art and Investigational Approaches

Combination Therapy for PAH: Current Rationale, Future Concepts

Advances in Prostanoid Therapy: New Studies, New Methods of Delivery

Pulmonary Hypertension Roundtable: Recapping 5 Years, Exploring Emerging Approaches

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