The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Apr 2014
EditorialBiomarkers for the prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension: Holy Grail or flying circus?
Despite recent and major progresses in the field of pulmonary vascular diseases pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) outcome still needs improvement. In parallel, several changes are observed in a disease that is no longer described as typically affecting young women. This is outlined in the most recent reports from PAH registries, where increasing age at the time of diagnosis is constantly described. ⋯ Yet, even if there are probably few chances, if any, to discover the "Holy Grail", researcher's efforts must continue. The combination of pertinent parameters in composite scores is indeed promising and emphasized in the most recent PAH guidelines. Clinicians would probably need to use a subtle combination of several biomarkers and clinical, functional, hemodynamic and right ventricular parameter criteria to drive the most ambitious treatment goals in a complex and life threatening disease.