Pulmonary hypertension year in review: Inhaled therapy, improving mortality trends in US

The Healio Editors compiled the most-read pulmonary hypertension news published in 2021.

Highlights from the previous year include FDA approval of inhaled treprostinil for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease and selexipag for IV use in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension; an interview with Aaron Waxman, MD, PhD, on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; and more.

Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

FDA approves inhaled treprostinil for pulmonary hypertension associated with ILD

In April, the FDA approved inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso, United Therapeutics) for the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease. Read more

REVEAL Lite 2 risk calculator a simplified model to assess mortality risk in PAH

Use of an abridged version of the REVEAL 2.0 risk calculator, REVEAL Lite 2, provided a simplified method of mortality risk assessment for patients with PAH, researchers reported in Chest. Read more

Initial triple therapy associated with improved long-term survival in high-risk PAH

Initial triple combination therapy was associated with better survival among high-risk patients with severe PAH at diagnosis, especially among younger high-risk patients. Read more

FDA approves selexipag for IV use in adults with PAH

In July, the FDA approved selexipag (Uptravi, Janssen) for IV use in adults with WHO functional class II to III PAH who are temporarily unable to take oral therapy. Read more

A closer look at chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

As a rarer form of pulmonary hypertension, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension often receives less attention than other pulmonary vascular diseases. However, it remains the only type of pulmonary hypertension that may be cured by surgery. Read more

Rituximab safe, potentially effective adjuvant treatment for systemic sclerosis-PAH

B-cell depletion with rituximab (Genentech, Biogen) was safe and may be a potentially effective treatment for patients with systemic sclerosis-associated PAH, researchers reported. Read more

Registry highlights ‘evolving characteristics’ of patients with PAH

The U.S. Pulmonary Hypertension Scientific Registry provides novel insights on patient characteristics, diagnosis delays and treatment trends in adults with PAH. Read more

Pulmonary hypertension mortality trends in US continue to improve

In the U.S., mortality trends in patients with PAH continue to improve; however, rates remain high in those with intermediate- and high-risk characteristics. Read more

Sotatercept shows improvement in hemodynamics, exercise capacity in patients with PAH

In a preliminary analysis of the ongoing SPECTRA study, patients with PAH treated with sotatercept (Acceleron Pharma) had improvements in hemodynamics, exercise capacity and 6-minute walk distance, according to data presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference. Read more

Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension-related hospitalizations down in past decade

A study presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting highlighted a reduction in idiopathic PAH-related hospitalizations in the U.S. from 2007 to 2017. Read more