Pulmonary hypertension is a condition characterized by vasoconstriction, vascular cell proliferation, inflammation, microthrombosis, and vessel wall remodelation. Pulmonary endothelial cells produce vasoactive substances with vasoconstrictive as well as vasodilatative effects. The imbalance of these endothelium-derived vasoactive substances induced by endothelial dysfunction is very important in the pathogenesis of PH. One of most important substances with vasodilatative effect is nitric oxide. We provide a comprehensive insight into role of NO in the pathgenesis of PH and discuss perspectives and challenges in PH therapy based on NO administration.

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Mie University School of Medicine Mie Japan; Department of Clinical Engineering Suzuka University of Medical Science Mie Japan

Department of Cardiovascular Diseases International Clinical Research Center St Anne's University Hospital Brno Czech Republic

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