Treprostinil therapy for pulmonary artery hypertension

Pulmonary artery hypertension is a life-threatening disease characterised by a pulmonary vasculopathy and progressive right ventricular failure. Major advances were made with the development of continuous intravenous epoprostenol (Flolan™) as a treatment modality. Nevertheless, it is far from ideal as treatment for this disease. Subcutaneous treprostinil has been FDA approved for the treatment of New York Heart Association Functional Class II – IV pulmonary artery hypertension. It is a longer acting subcutaneous prostacyclin analogue that offers an additional mode of therapy for this disease. A discussion of the pharmacology of this prostacyclin analogue as compared to its related compounds, the clinical studies which led to its approval, a review of some additional basic studies and the practical use of this drug in the treatment modalities for precapillary pulmonary artery hypertension in 2002 in light of other available therapies is discussed.