INH: inhaled; IV: intravenous; SC: subcutaneous; WHO: World Health Organization.
* Acute vasoreactivity testing is typically indicated in patients with WHO class I, II, and III symptoms who have idiopathic, hereditary, or drug/toxin-induced PAH. Contraindications include patients with WHO class IV symptoms, low systemic blood pressure, and low cardiac index.
¶ Endothelin receptor antagonist-phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor combination is preferred by most experts. Combining phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and guanylate cyclase stimulants (riociguat) should be avoided due to the high risk of hypotension.
Δ Options for agents include ambrisentan, bosentan, macitentan, sildenafil, tadalafil, or riociguat. Riociguat is best studied in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Sotatercept may be considered as an addon agent to standard therapy.
◊ These agents are not approved for this use by regulatory agencies.
§ Some experts use initial combination therapy with a prostanoid and a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor.