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Endothelin receptor antagonists for pulmonary arterial hypertension

Liu C, Chen J, Gao Y, Deng B, Liu K

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2013

1,471 participants · 29 citations

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a devastating disease, which leads to right heart failure and premature death. Recent evidence suggests that endothelin receptor antagonists may be promising drugs in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of endothelin receptor antagonists in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Search methods: We searched CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the reference section of retrieved articles. Searches are current as of January 2012.

Selection criteria: We included randomised trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials involving patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Data collection and analysis: Five review authors independently selected studies, assessed study quality and extracted data.

Main results: We included 12 randomised controlled trials involving 1471 patients. All the trials were of relatively short duration (12 weeks to six months). After treatment, patients treated with endothelin receptor antagonists could walk on average 33.71 metres (95% confidence interval (CI) 24.90 to 42.52 metres) further than those treated with placebo in a six-minute walk test. Endothelin receptor antagonists improved more patients' World Health Organization/New York Heart Association (WHO/NYHA) functional class status than placebo (odds ratio (OR) 1.60; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.14), and reduced the odds of functional class deterioration compared with placebo (OR…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,471 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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