Iloprost in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a clinically relevant, life-threatening disease. Based pathophysiologically on a dysbalance of vasoactive mechanisms, the therapeutic use of vasodilative agents is one of the major treatment options. Prostanoids, such as iloprost, are widely used in the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension. With the focus on pulmonary hypertension, this article reviews the most relevant experimental and clinical data for the inhalative and intravenous application of iloprost. To summarize, the available data on iloprost suggest it has a clinical and hemodynamic benefit to patients with pulmonary hypertension.