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ABSTRACTIntroductionPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is still a chronic disorder characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is another form of pulmonary hypertension (PH) for which pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice. However, not all patients are operable, while PH is often recurrent or persistent. Thus, for both disorders novel treatment options are urgently needed.Areas coveredThis review describes the mechanism of action of riociguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, with a dual mode of action. The most relevant publications are presented regarding the efficacy of riociguat in PAH and CTEPH, and also data regarding its potential effect on other forms of PH.Expert opinionRiociguat is a first-in-class drug approved for the treatment of PAH as a monotherapy or added to endothelin-receptor antagonists as a sequential combination therapy, and for the treatment of inoperable CTEPH or persistent/recurrent PH after PEA. As it can stimulate sGC independently of NO, it could be beneficial in PAH patients with inadequate response to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i). Future studies are needed to evaluate whether drug switching is beneficial in PAH and which baseline markers could guide the optimal initial treatment selection.

Burnout is a work-specific syndrome with high incidence among intensive care unit personnel. Although several risk factors have been proposed, data regarding the association of anxiety and burnout among intensive care unit physicians are scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of burnout and its association with state and trait anxiety and other sociodemographic, behavioural and occupational-related parameters, among intensivists. A population of intensive care physicians was evaluated using the self-completed Maslach Burnout Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y, and data regarding sociodemographic and occupational-related variables were also recorded. From the 98 intensive care physicians addressed, 80 returned fully completed questionnaires; 26.9% of them presented with high emotional exhaustion, 37.5% with high depersonalisation and 41.5% with low personal accomplishment scores. Trait anxiety, fear of having committed a medical error and self-reporting difficulty when having to act accurately were independently associated with high burnout. In conclusion, burnout is common among intensivists and is associated with specific behavioural characteristics and personality traits, but not with work-related factors.

HFpEF represents a heterogeneous syndrome with complex pathophysiological substrates and multiple clinical manifestations. Recently, much attention has been focused on cardiac rehabilitation programs for HFpEF patients, and several studies have examined the effects of exercise training on this specific population. This systematic review and meta-analysis included studies on adult patients with HFpEF and evaluated the impact of exercise on the cardiorespiratory fitness variables measured during CPET. The primary outcome was the difference in the change in the peak oxygen uptake (Δpeak VO2) between the groups. Literature search involved PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane/CENTRAL and Scopus databases. From an initial 5,143 literature records, we identified 18 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria; 11 studies with 515 patients were finally included in the primary outcome analysis. Δpeak VO2between baseline and study end was significantly higher in the groups of exercise training versus control (WMD 2.25 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 1.81–2.70). Exercise training resulted in greater change in the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) distance (WMD 2.25 m, 95% CI 1.81–2.70). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (WMD: −3.36, 95% CI −9.42 to 2.70, I2 = 14%, p = 0.33) and echocardiographic indices of diastolic function showed no differences between exercise and control groups at study end. In the subgroup analysis, no difference between resistance versus aerobic exercise was noted in Δpeak VO2, but high-intensity interval training showed a greater increase in peak VO2versus aerobic exercise (WMD 1.62 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 0.96–2.29, I2 = 0%, p = 0.82). Exercise training in HFpEF results in significant improvements in peak VO2and 6MWT distance as compared to those for controls. High-intensity interval training may offer greater enhancement of the exercise capacity of these patients than standard aerobic exercise.