Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension

Editor’s Memo

Marking a Milestone for the Journal and Previewing PHA’s Upcoming Conference and Scientific Sessions

This issue of Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension is a milestone in the journal’s history: it is the first to produce a series of clinical cases and expert commentaries since the journal’s inception in 2002. The Editorial Board and I were excited when the idea was conceived. Now that the “cases” issue is in print, I am happy to see that we were right to be energized about this issue. Publishing these cases is one of several components introducing new dimensions in PHA’s tireless efforts in educating the world about PAH: 1) Formal case presentations presenting practical approaches to PAH diagnosis and management, 2) CD-ROM-based case presentations, with interactive multimedia (coming soon), and 3) On-line “live” case discussions via Pulmonary Hypertension Clinicians and Researchers (you must be a PHCR member to view and participate in these discussions).

The many contributors to this issue deserve a great deal of thanks for their efforts in helping to produce it. These include our Editorial Board members Drs Francisco J. Soto, Robert Schilz, Charles D. Burger, Srinivas Murali, E. Clinton Lawrence, and Micah R. Fisher.

This issue also coincides with the opening of registration for PHA’s 8th International Pulmonary Hypertension Conference and Scientific Sessions, which will be held on June 20-22 in Houston, Texas. The theme of the 2008 Scientific Sessions, a daylong educational program specifically for medical professionals who work in the field of pulmonary hypertension, is Determinants of RV Function on Molecular, Pharmacogenomic, and Metabolic Levels. PHA’s biennial conference is the largest meeting of its kind and is unique in bringing together pulmonary hypertension patients, caregivers, and medical professionals from around the world. For more information on this exciting event, be sure to see the ad in this issue of Advances. As someone who has attended past PHA Conferences and worked to develop their programming, as well as the 2008 Conference program, I can assure you that this will be an exceptional weekend.

Ronald J. Oudiz, MD
Editor-in-Chief

Guest Editor’s Commentary

Pulmonary Hypertension: Challenges and Controversies in Diagnosis and Management

The case presentations and discussions in this issue of Advances illustrate both common and uncommon challenges in the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Although significant guidelines and evidence-based recommendations exist for patient evaluation and care, practical application of these guidelines and managing uncertainty in areas where evidence may be sparse are key elements in the daily activities of specialized pulmonary hypertension clinics.

The contributors present case-based analyses exploring important concepts and controversies in pulmonary venous hypertension, transplantation, vasoreactivity, chronic thromboembolic disease, and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Two of the cases not only illustrate important concepts but are examples of notable educational PHA initiatives: a preview of an upcoming educational CD edited by Todd Bull, MD, and a discussion from the PHCR on-line forums. As with many discussions of patient care, areas of consensus emerge, as well as topics that clearly require additional investigation.

Robert Schilz DO, PhD
Guest Editor