Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease
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Ther Adv Respir Dis · Feb 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of bosentan upon pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is mainly determined by hypoxemia under respiratory failure by means of the functional hypoxemic vasoconstrictor response. Organic changes of vessels, pulmonary vascular remodelling, is gaining increasing relevance. An imbalance of endothelial products takes place with overload of vasoconstrictors and thrombogenic autacoids over vasodilators and anticoagulant factors. Among vasoconstrictors, endothelin is claimed to be an important factor. Our aim is to assess the effect of the anti-endothelin drug Bosentan on pulmonary hemodynamics and lung function in patients affected by COPD and PH. ⋯ This preliminary report suggests that the use of Bosentan in the treatment of PH in COPD is beneficial.