Biomarkers in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension prevalence continues to rise and remains a clinical dilemma with regards to patient recognition and management. Despite advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology and pathogenesis behind pulmonary hypertension (PH), this heterogeneous cohort continues to demonstrate significant morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers serve as a dynamic, noninvasive tool in a physician’s clinical armamentarium. Their role is to impact clinical decision-making and to facilitate patient education with respect to diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic intervention. This review will elucidate the relationship between PH and serum biomarkers related to inflammation, myocardial dysfunction or stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Over the last two decades, the utilization and incorporation of biomarkers into the evaluation and management of pulmonary hypertension has exploded. Consequently, current guidelines and consensus documents have adopted their use. The additive roles of both established and innovative biomarkers in individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) will be discussed. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.