Part 2: Treatment (Review JAMA)
PulmCCM Feb 12, 2013. By Brett Ley MD.
"There are 3 classes of pulmonary vasodilator drugs: phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors, e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil), endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs, e.g. bosentan, ambrisentan), and prostacyclins (epoprostenol, iloprost, treprostinil). Because the large trials have focused on PAH, currently only WHO group 1 has a clear indication for these medications. Their use in other WHO groups is an active area of research, but as of now their potential benefits and harms in these groups are largely unclear. Calcium channel blockers are a fourth class with specific indications."