Drugs for pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Question 1

What role does Endothelin 1 have in the lungs?

Answer 1

Endothelin ETa receptors cause powerful vascoconstriction.

ETb receptors allow for vasodilation in the
ETb also causes vasoconstriction

Question 2

What effect is observed in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Answer 2

Endotheliin-1 is overproduced leading to excessive vasoconstriction.

NO production is blunted as well.

Question 3

What effect does the drug Bosentan have?

What is its contraindication?

Answer 3

This is an anti ET1a and ET1b drug that works by blocking the effects of ETA and ETB.

This is to be used in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

This drug should not be used during pregnancy.

Question 4

What effect do prostacyclins normally have within the lung?

Answer 4

This is normally produced by healthy endothelial cells and produces vasodilation.

This is why the receptors are targeted during Pulmonary artery hypertension.

Question 5

What effect do the drugs Epoprostenol, Iloprost, and Treprostinil have?

Answer 5

These are prostacyclin analogues that serve to cause vasodilation within the lungs.

Question 6

What effect do the drugs Sildenafil and Taladafil have?

Answer 6

These are the phosphodiesterave V inhibiting drugs.

These function by preventing the vasoconstrictive effects of Phosphodiesterase V allowing vasodilation to occur.