Significant developments have been made in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) over the past year. These include an increased understanding of the need for earlier detection and treatment, changing disease characteristics, the continuing development of new treatment options and an increasing perception of the specific challenges that patients with PAH face at each stage of illness. Notably, an updated treatment algorithm from the 5th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension has been published [1], reflecting recent changes in available evidence. The articles in this issue of the European Respiratory Review encompass the breadth of these issues and are based on presentations from the 13th International Pulmonary Hypertension Forum held in April 2014 in Lisbon, Portugal. These articles not only provide a snapshot of the current understanding but also offer a forward-looking view to new horizons in PAH management.
Progressive failure of the right ventricle due to increased pulmonary vascular resistance is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with PAH. In the article by Naeije and Manes [2], the measurement and pathobiology of the interaction between the right ventricle and the arterial system, the role of diastolic …
