Pulmonary arterial hypertension and COVID-19: Piecing the puzzle

Respir Med Res. 2023 Nov:84:101053. doi: 10.1016/j.resmer.2023.101053. Epub 2023 Oct 8.

Abstract

COVID-19 remains a health care concern despite the end of the pandemic. Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at a higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 complications. Studies investigating the COVID-19 clinical characteristics in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients have reported discordant conclusions so far. In this review, we summarize the literature pertaining to the clinical presentation of COVID-19 in patients with PAH. In addition, we discuss common pathological aspects and disease mechanisms between PAH and COVID-19. We present an overview of the different types of PAH-approved therapy and their potential utilization as a treatment in the context of COVID-19. Moreover, we summarize the clinical trials that assessed the safety and efficiency of PAH-approved drugs in COVID-19 patients. Finally, we conclude with proposals for prospective research studies.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical course; PAH-COVID-19 interaction; PAH-approved therapy; Pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / epidemiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / therapy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension* / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension* / etiology
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension* / therapy