Circulation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Sildenafil inhibits hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.
This study investigated the effect of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil on the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia in humans and mice. ⋯ Sildenafil attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in humans and mice and offers a novel approach to the treatment of this condition. The eNOS-NO-cGMP pathway contributes to the response to sildenafil, but other biochemical sources of cGMP also play a role. Sildenafil has beneficial pulmonary hemodynamic effects even when eNOS activity is impaired.