Evaluation and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a devastating progressive disease mediated by different pathophysiologic pathways that result in progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance along with right ventricular failure and eventually premature death. Despite significant advances in the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and development of a number of targeted therapies, pulmonary arterial hypertension remains a challenging condition with high morbidity and mortality. New therapies are being actively sought, and early recognition remains of paramount importance. In an effort to improve the detection and management of pulmonary hypertension, the 6th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension came up with most recent statements in 2018. The goal of this review is to summarize some key updates from the proceedings of the Symposium pertaining to different aspects of evaluation and management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Keywords: Genetics; Patient perspectives; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Pulmonary hypertension; Risk stratification; Treatment.