Barcelona, 31 March 2025 -. The seventh edition of the International Meeting on Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Treatment (IMPAHCT), promoted by the pharmaceutical company Ferrer, brought together more than 150 experts in pulmonology and cardiology from more than 30 countries this weekend in Barcelona. The meeting has reaffirmed the commitment of the clinical community to multidisciplinary and international collaboration to improve the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a serious pathology that affects 1% of the population2, which is usually accompanied by debilitating symptoms as well as an increased risk of mortality.
Experts have established priorities in the approach to pulmonary hypertension. Claudia Valenzuela, pulmonologist at the Diffuse Interstitial Lung Diseases Unit of the Pneumology Service of the La Princesa University Hospital in Madrid, has expressed the need for a comprehensive approach that includes the perspective of different health professionals when treating PH: "The multidisciplinary approach facilitates a correct diagnosis and timely management of patients. In the case of pulmonary hypertension, we also have the challenge of referring these patients to expert centers so that they can access a correct diagnosis and global management."
For his part, Roberto Badagliacca, professor at the Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences at the University of Rome Sapienza, stressed that it is essential to make an early diagnosis since "pulmonary hypertension is a degenerative disease and the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner specific treatment can be started".
According to David Ferrando, Chief Marketing & Market Access Officer at Ferrer, "with this seventh IMPAHCT we reaffirm Ferrer's commitment to healthcare professionals to change the lives of people affected by pulmonary hypertension, as well as those of their families and caregivers. In line with our purpose of using the business to fight for social justice, we work to deliver transformative therapeutic solutions in rare or low-prevalence diseases."
For his part, Jorge Cuneo, Chief Medical Officer of Ferrer, said that "through continuous training, research and the exchange of good practices, we seek to promote innovative solutions that make a difference in the treatment of such a complex and limiting disease. In this sense, collaboration with health professionals is essential to advance in an improvement of daily clinical practice that, ultimately, has a positive impact on patients."
The IMPAHCT has established itself as an international benchmark event in the field of pulmonary hypertension, providing a space for the exchange of knowledge and updating on the latest therapeutic advances. In this context, the congress facilitates the connection between specialists from different areas, promoting research and the implementation of new strategies to improve the diagnosis and quality of life of people living with this disease.
About Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition caused by different diseases characterized by the development of molecular and anatomical changes in the pulmonary blood circulation, which result in an abnormal increase in pressure in the pulmonary artery (> 20 mmHg)1. It affects approximately 1% of the world's population (a value that can reach up to 10% in people over 65 years of age) and about 80% of people living with pulmonary hypertension live in developing countries2. PH is classified into five different groups, among the most frequent causes are left-sided heart and lung diseases1.
The development of PH is almost invariably associated with worsening symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue and cough, among others, and increased mortality, regardless of the underlying pathology1. Although there are no cures for some types of pulmonary hypertension, important steps have been taken in terms of knowledge, therapy and prognosis that have changed the perspective on the disease, so current treatment can help improve the quality of life of people living with this pathology1.
About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is among the more than 7,000 rare and ultra-rare diseases diagnosed worldwide3. It is caused by high pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which causes the right side of the heart to strain harder than normal and can eventually lead to right ventricular failure and premature death1. It is estimated that in Europe it affects between 15 and 50 people per million inhabitants, of any age, race, condition and sex, and has a higher prevalence in women than in men1.
About pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of pathologies that affect the lungs and are characterized by marked scarring or fibrosis of the bronchioles and alveolar sacs within the lungs4,5. The increase in fibrotic tissue prevents oxygenation and the free exchange of gases between the pulmonary capillaries and the alveolar sacs, so that the involvement can manifest itself with a wide range of symptoms, including shortness of breath during exercise, shortness of breath and fatigue4,5.
Pulmonary hypertension frequently complicates the evolution of patients with interstitial lung disease and is associated with poorer functional status as measured by inability to exercise, increased supplemental oxygen requirements, decreased quality of life, and poorer health outcomes4,5.
References:
- Humbert M, Kovacs G, Hoeper MM, et al. 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension [published correction appears in Eur Heart J. 2023 Apr 17; 44(15):1312]. Eur Heart J. 2022; 43(38):3618-3731
- Hoeper MM, Humbert M, Souza R, Idrees M, Kawut SM, Sliwa-Hahnle K, et al. A global view of pulmonary hypertension. Lancet Respir Med. 2016 Apr; 4(4):306-22.
- Orphanet, Knowledge on rare diseases and orphan drugs: "Rare diseases are rare, but rare disease patients are numerous", last entry March 2025. (Links available here)
- Behr J, Nathan SD. Pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease: screening, diagnosis and treatment. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2021 Sep 1; 27(5):396-404.
- King CS, Shlobin OA. The trouble with group 3 pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease: dilemmas in diagnosis and the conundrum of treatment. Chest. 2020; 158(4):1651-1664.
