RT - Journal TY - JOUR A1 - Vrigkou, Eleni A1 - Tsantes, Argyrios A1 - Pappas, Athanasios A1 - Tsangaris, Iraklis T1 - The role of oral anticoagulation therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension YR - 2017/10/1 JF - Clinical Trials in Degenerative Diseases JO - Clin Trials Degener Dis SP - 108 OP - 111 VO - 2 IS - 4 UL - https://www.clinicaltdd.com/article.asp?issn=2542-3975;year=2017;volume=2;issue=4;spage=108;epage=111;aulast=Vrigkou;t=5 DO - 10.4103/2542-3975.222183 N2 - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe, progressive disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right-sided heart failure. Despite the advances in PAH medical treatment, morbidity and mortality rates remain high. Oral anticoagulants are part of the supporting PAH treatment scheme, even though their use is based mainly on non-controlled, single-centered observational studies. The conflicting current research, the potential side effects of the anticoagulation treatment and the ambiguity of the European Society of Cardiology and European Respiratory Society pulmonary hypertension guidelines have raised concerns regarding the implementation of this intervention and heterogeneity in its application in every day clinical practice. A careful selection of the patient subgroups that oral anticoagulation therapy could be beneficial, a consideration of individual patient characteristics and a close monitoring of the anticoagulation treatment could be of importance in order to limit clinician’s concerns and minimize any potential side effects. ER -