New Study Comparing Medication Combinations in Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Actelion Pharmaceutics has undertaken an important new study that compares two medications versus three medications in patients that are newly diagnosed with PAH. Currently we can say with confidence that most patients do better when treated initially with an endothelin receptor … [Read more...]

Swelling of the Scrotum with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. We recently received a great question about scrotal edema (swelling of scrotum and often the penis as well).  This is a very common problem for men with PAH who are retaining large amounts of fluid. Not only is this problem very uncomfortable but also it can make urinating a challenge. When patients have so much … [Read more...]

In 1995 epoprostenol, a continuously infused prostanoid medication, was approved for the treatment of PAH. Although this medicine worked to decrease pulmonary artery pressures, there were many risks with this therapy in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients.  Since an intravenous catheter was required, there was a small but real risk of blood stream infection.  There was also … [Read more...]

The question of whether anticoagulation (thinning of blood with medications) should be used in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension dates back more than 35 years.  Very early observations of small blood clots in the lungs of PAH patients propelled interest in using warfarin (our oldest blood thinner). In the 1980’s and 1990’s several small studies were completed that … [Read more...]

For the first time, the FDA has approved the use of two medications as initial therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension.  In response to the recently published AMBITION study results, the FDA has approved the use of Letairis (ambrisentan) and Adcirca (tadalafil) to be used as initial therapy in newly diagnosed patients with PAH.  Previously, many physicians would prescribe … [Read more...]