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Updates on the therapeutic approach to pulmonary arterial hypertension Cover

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Treatment algorithm in pulmonary arterial hypertension (modified from [20]).
ASI, activin signaling inhibitors; ERA, endothelin-1 receptor antagonists; PAH, pulmonary arterial hypertension; PDE5i, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors; i.v., intravenous; s.c., subcutaneous; PPA, prostacyclin pathway agents; sGCS: soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulators.
Treatment algorithm in pulmonary arterial hypertension (modified from [20]). ASI, activin signaling inhibitors; ERA, endothelin-1 receptor antagonists; PAH, pulmonary arterial hypertension; PDE5i, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors; i.v., intravenous; s.c., subcutaneous; PPA, prostacyclin pathway agents; sGCS: soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulators.

The main drugs administred for pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment in Romania_

Class of drugs AvailabledrugsDoses
Calcium channel blockersDiltiazem60–360 mg b.i.d.
Amlodipine5–30 mg o.d.
Felodipine5–30 mg o.d.
Nifedipine10–60 mg t.i.d.
Endothelin receptor antagonistsBosentan62.5–125 mg b.i.d.
Macitentan10 mg o.d.
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitorsSildenafil20 mg t.i.d.
Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulatorRiociguat1–2.5 mg t.i.d.
Prostacyclin receptor agonistSelexipag200–1600 μg b.i.d.
Prostacyclin analoguesTreprostinil s.c.1.25 ng/kg/min–maximum tolerated dose

Risk stratification in pulmonary arterial hypertension (modified from [1, 20])_

Initial risk assessment (3 risk-strata)
Determinants of prognosisLow risk (<5%)Intermediate risk (5–20%)High risk (>20%)
Clinical parametersSigns of right heart failureAbsentAbsentPresent
Symptom progressionNoSlowRapid
SyncopeNoOccasionalRepeated
WHO-FCI, IIIIIIV
Exercise tests6MWD>440 m165–440 m<165 m
CPETpeak V′O2>15 mL×kg−1×min−111-15 mL×kg−1×min−1<11 mL×kg−1×min−1
V′E/CO2<3636–44>44
BiomarkersBNP<50 ng/L50–800 ng/L>800 ng/L
NT-proBNP<300 ng/L300–1100 ng/L>1100 ng/L
ImagingTEERA area<18 cm218–26 cm2>26 cm2
TAPSE/sPAP>32 mm/mmHg19–32 mm/mmHg<19 mm/mmHg
PENoMinimalModerate or large
cMRIRVEF>54%37–54%<37%
SVi>40 mL/m226–40 mL/m2<26 mL/m2
RVESVi<42 mL/m242–54 mL/m2>54 mL/m2
HemodynamicsRAP< 8 mmHg8–14 mmHg>14 mmHg
CI>2.5 L×min−1×m−22.0-2.4 L×min−1×m−2<2.0 L×min−1×m−2
SVi>38 mL/m231–38 mL/m2<31 mL/m2
SvO2>65%60–65%<60%
Risk assessment at follow-up (4 risk-strata)
Determinants of prognosisLowIntermediate-lowIntermediate-highHigh
WHO-FCI, II IIIIV
6MWD>440 m320–440164–319<165 m
BNP<50 ng/L50–199 ng/L200–800 ng/L>800 ng/L
NT–proBNP<300 ng/‘l300–649 ng/L650–1100 ng/L>1100 ng/L
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjc-2025-0035 | Journal eISSN: 2734-6382 | Journal ISSN: 1220-658X
Language: English
Published on: Dec 10, 2025
Published by: Romanian Society of Cardiology
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2025 Ioan Mircea Coman, Roxana Enache, Georgiana Olaru, Raluca Rancea, Tudor Constantinescu, Andrei Neagu, Miron Al. Bogdan, Ioan Ţilea, Andreea Varga, Nicoleta Bertici, Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu, Anda Tesloianu, Alexandru Steriade, Dragos Bumbacea, published by Romanian Society of Cardiology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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