Pulmonary arterial hypertension: bridging the present to the future

The past decade has witnessed extensive progress in basic and clinical research in the field of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a group of chronic conditions characterised by high pressure in the pulmonary circulation. National and international PH registries have achieved much to advance our understanding of the epidemiology, demographics, aetiology, clinical course, haemodynamics, disease management and treatment outcomes of PH [1–7]. Therapies available to target the pathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have expanded considerably and more options are expected in the near future [8, 9]. Although this progress has steadily improved the outlook for PAH patients, there remains a need for further developments to ensure that advances continue to be made. The articles and case reports in this issue of the European Respiratory Review discuss key and current issues in the management of patients with PH. The authors, all experts in the field of PH, delivered the presentations upon which the articles are based at the 11th International Pulmonary Hypertension Forum in Dublin, Ireland on May 12–13, 2012. This annual platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience among clinicians and researchers was attended by over 1,000 healthcare professionals from all over the world, highlighting the continuing interest in this devastating group of diseases. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines provide a clear classification of the major clinical subcategories of PH [10, 11], based on shared pathophysiological mechanisms, similar clinical presentations and therapeutic approaches [12]. It is Group 1 PH, namely PAH, that has been subject to the most rapid advancement in terms of knowledge and treatment options in the past decade. Because this group of patients is treatable, accurate and prompt diagnosis are particularly critical; PAH patients receiving treatment in World …