Although the opioid epidemic is attracting more attention, there is another epidemic in America, methamphetamine abuse. Methamphetamine (Meth) is an inexpensive drug that can be smoked, snorted or injected. It is made in a chemical reaction involving a common cold medicine. Most Meth, however, is imported from Mexico. Meth is extremely … [Read more...]
Is the Implanted Remodulin Pump Right for Me?
Excitement is building for the final release of the implanted system for Remodulin. After more than 8 years of study, we are poised to have this device available to patients. PAH patients across the country are eager to embrace the new pump and say goodbye to their Broviac/Hickman/Groshong catheter or their subcutaneous catheter and the associated site … [Read more...]
May 2019 Update on Clinical Trials in PAH
Sustained Release Beraprost This study looked at the addition of sustained release beraprost or placebo added to inhaled Tyvaso. United Therapeutics, the study sponsor, announced that there was no benefit found. This will probably be the end of the road for the molecule beraprost. Many years ago the non-sustained release formulation was studied in PAH … [Read more...]
Do I or Don’t I Have PAH?
We had a wonderful topic suggestion from a reader. Essentially, how does one tell if they have Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension if there are conflicting tests? A common scenario goes something like this: The echocardiogram shows no pulmonary hypertension but a CT scan shows pulmonary hypertension. A cardiologist repeats an echo that shows no pulmonary … [Read more...]
Atrial Septal Defect and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Image Credit: CDC An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a hole in the heart between the right and left top chambers (atria). This is not terribly uncommon with an estimated 1-2 per 1000 live births. Most of these holes are small and do not cause long-term problems. In some patients the hole is larger and can lead to extra blood flowing from the left … [Read more...]
