Abstract
Pulmonary vasodilators are an important treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. They reduce pulmonary artery pressure; improve hemodynamic function; alter ventilation/perfusion matching in the lungs; and improve functional quality of life, exercise tolerance, and survival in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. This paper reviews the currently available pulmonary vasodilators and those under development, many of which can be administered via inhalation. I will also give an overview of the clinical pharmacology of, the indications for, and the evidence supporting pulmonary vasodilators, their delivery via inhalation, and potential toxic and adverse effects.
- pulmonary vasodilators
- oxygen
- calcium channel blockers
- nitric oxide
- nitric oxide donors
- prostacyclins
- phosphodiesterase inhibitors
- endothelin receptor antagonists
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Mark S Siobal RRT, Respiratory Care Services, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Avenue, NH GA2, San Francisco CA 94110. E-mail: msiobal{at}sfghsom.ucsf.edu.
The author presented a version of this paper at the 22nd Annual New Horizons Symposium at the 52nd International Respiratory Congress of the American Association for Respiratory Care, held December 11–14, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The author reports no conflicts of interest related to the content of this paper.
- Copyright © 2007 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
