Therapeutic targets in neonatal pulmonary hypertension: linking pathophysiology to clinical medicine

Abstract

Treatment of pulmonary hypertension in neonates is a major challenge on the intensive care unit and involves high morbidity and mortality. However, we have gained considerable insights into the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension leading to an increasing number of possible treatment targets. Translation of these novel targets into clinical application requires multicenter, randomized, controlled trials. Furthermore, considering the underlying pathology is important in therapy choice. New therapies will not only target vasodilation, but also reduce vascular remodeling and enhance postnatal lung development. This review provides an overview of currently available drugs and promising new targets in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in neonates.

Keywords::

• endothelin
• neonates
• nitric oxide
• pharmacotherapy
• phosphodiesterase
• prostaglandin
• pulmonary hypertension

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.