An Update on the Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and the Pharmacist’s Role

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare medical condition that significantly shortens life expectancy. The lack of understanding and complexity of treatments frequently lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment of patients. This is worsened by the gap in medical education related to the rarity of disease and the subspecialty nature of management. Advancements in diagnostics and treatment in recent years makes a review of this nature important and timely. Understanding the specialty nature of drug therapy, the complexities of managing prostacyclin analogs, and treatment algorithms are essential for pharmacists caring for these patients in both acute and ambulatory settings. This review article will provide an overview of published guidelines as well as discuss new therapies, clinical controversies, and the pharmacist’s role in the management of these patients.