Pulmonary hypertension is due to increase in pressure of pulmonary
artries. Some diseases can narrow the blood vessels in the lungs,
which leads to high blood pressure in the lungs even when blood
pressure in the rest of the body is normal. It may be due to lung
diseases or heart diseases. Pulmonary hypertension is a highly fatal
disorder since the strain of pumping blood through narrowed vessels
often leads to failure of the heart muscle. When the heart muscle
fails, the lungs cannot supply enough oxygen to meet the body's needs.
There are various treaments available for pulmonary hypertension.
Goals of treament are:
Dilate pulmonary vessels
Decrease thickening of blood
Decrease preload on heart
Increase oxygen supply to lungs
Prevention and treatment of respiratory infection
Increase cardiac output
Treat cause of secondary Pulmonary hypertension.
Any treatment which dilates pulmonary vessels can decease pulmonary
hypertension. Treatments for this disorder widen the damaged blood
vessels in the lung and make it easier for the heart to pump blood
through the lungs. How can we dilate these pulmonary vessels?
One such drug (epoprostenol) is effective only if given intravenously
through a small plastic tube that must remain in the vein permanently.
Another treatment involves continuous inhalation of a gas (nitric
oxide) that also widens blood vessels in the lungs. A newer approach
has been an inhaled mist form of epoprostenol called iloprost. Because
each mist treatment lasts only about 60 minutes, up to 12 treatments
each day are required. Each of these treatments has its drawbacks and
side effects. You cant take these orally, and have shorter duration of
action. Recently, researchers learned that a drug Viagra (sildenafil
citrate) the erectile-dysfunction drug used by more than 26 million
men worldwide,can enhance and prolong the actions of both iloprost and
nitric oxide.
Viagra's Active Ingredient Treats Pulmonary Hypertension New drug
Revatio, which contains sildenafil citrate, the same active ingredient
found in the erectile-dysfunction drug Viagra, has been approved by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating pulmonary
hypertension. Revatio is white and round; Viagra is a blue
diamond.Will the drug work long-term? "Only time will tell," says
Norman Edelman, medical director of the American Lung Association.
"Anything that lowers blood pressure in the lungs and can do it over
time will probably prolong life."
Good thing about this drug "it can be given orally, rather than
intravenously or in an injection." The only other drug that can be
given orally, Bosentan, can damage the liver. Studies are underway to
see whether Revatio can be given with Bosentan and other drugs to
yield an even bigger benefit.
Revatio's known side effects are typical of those for Viagra:
blue-tinged vision, muscle aches, flushing. Unwanted erections have
been noted but very rare cases.
Although survival rates over 18 months increased from 65% to 95% with
the use of Revatio, it is unknown if the drug will work long-term.
When combined with standard treatments for pulmonary hypertension,
sildenafil may significantly improve control of this fatal disease.
Because experience with this treatment is limited, it is too early to
make firm recommendations for treatment.
This article for Patients of pulmonary hypertension is presented for
informational purposes only. This article is not a substitute for
advice from your own medical provider. If you have questions about
this material, or need medical advice about your own health or
situation, please contact your physician
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# posted by Network @ 9:31 AM
