PVRI Congress 2026: Highlights for People Living with Pulmonary Hypertension
Day 1 – New Treatments and Research
Sotatercept: Clinical Trials and Real-Life Experience
- Ioanna Preston shared long-term results on sotatercept, a new medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Sotatercept works well over years and helps patients stay in lower functional classes.
- Side effects like bleeding or fluid around the heart are rare but monitored carefully.
- Research continues to understand how sotatercept works and how it can best help patients.
Vascular Effects and Heart Safety
- Professor Ardeschir Ghofrani explained that sotatercept may improve blood vessel structure in the lungs, not just reduce pressure.
- Some studies suggest it may also reduce inflammation and support metabolism in the blood vessels.
- Preclinical studies in rats showed that sotatercept does not make the right side of the heart stronger, but it may help the heart relax better.
Metabolism and Carnitine
- Anna Hemnes discussed carnitine, a substance mostly found in meat, which may help the heart and lung vessels work better.
- Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension often have low carnitine, which may harm energy use in the heart.
- Giving extra carnitine is being studied as a possible treatment.
Blood Vessel Structure and Collagen
- Changes in the structure of lung blood vessels, especially certain collagen types, contribute to pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Sotatercept may help normalize these changes and improve blood vessel health.
Sickle Cell Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
- Daniel Colon Hidalgo showed that immune cells and platelets can damage lung blood vessels in pulmonary hypertension caused by sickle cell disease.
- Understanding these processes may help develop new treatments.
Day 1 – The Right Heart
The Forgotten Chamber: Right Atrium
- Dr. Thenappan explained that the right atrium, the upper right heart chamber, shows how stressed the right heart is.
- Its size and function can help doctors understand disease severity and guide treatment.
The Right Ventricle: Understanding Adaptation and Failure
- Dr. Rebecca Vanderpool highlighted that the right ventricle, the lower right heart chamber, is critical for survival.
- Some hearts adapt well to high pressure, while others fail.
- Detailed imaging can show patterns of how the right ventricle changes, helping doctors provide personalized care.
Epicardial Fat and Right Heart Failure
- Dr. Manon Mougin showed that fat around the heart can cause inflammation and harm the right ventricle.
- This finding opens possibilities for new treatments targeting local inflammation.
Omics Research for Personalized Medicine
- Dr. Soni Saval Pullamsetti explained how omics research studies genes, proteins, and other molecules in the body.
- This research helps doctors see why some right ventricles adapt well and others fail.
- Omics can identify new biomarkers and patterns in patients, allowing personalized medicine — treatments tailored to each patient’s unique biology.
- The goal is to predict who will respond best to which treatments and improve outcomes for each patient.
Day 2 – Pulmonary Hypertension in Lung Disease and Global Perspective
Progress in Lung Disease
- Dr. Oksana Shlobin reviewed pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic lung diseases such as interstitial lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Treatments are still limited, but research is improving understanding of patient subtypes.
Sleep and Pulmonary Hypertension
- Dr. Yassine Sassi explained that poor sleep can worsen pulmonary hypertension, and the disease can worsen sleep, creating a cycle.
- Improving sleep may help lung health and heart function.
Debate: Treating Pulmonary Hypertension in Lung Disease
- Drs. Gabor Kovacs and Katarine Zeder discussed when and if treatments should be used.
- Decisions are complex and require careful patient evaluation.
Global Burden
- Dr. Sandeep Sahay showed that pulmonary hypertension affects millions of people worldwide.
- Many patients are not diagnosed, and the disease is often underreported.
Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension
- Dr. Mary Mullen explained that pulmonary hypertension in children is rare but serious.
- Mortality has decreased due to better care, but children in low-income regions are still at high risk.
Day 2 – Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Disease
Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty
- Dr. Hiromi Matsubara explained that this procedure opens blocked lung vessels, improving blood flow, heart function, and quality of life.
- Most patients continue taking riociguat after the procedure, especially those over 70, to support heart function. Some people do stop the medication after a couple of months after the last procedure, but more evidence has to be gathered to find out who and hwhen.
Treating Patients Without High Pulmonary Pressure
- Dr. Irene Lang highlighted that even patients without high resting pulmonary pressure can have symptoms and benefit from treatments.
- Decisions are made individually based on exercise tests, symptoms, and expert advice.
Day 2 – Research into the Right Heart
Immune Responses in the Right Ventricle
- Dr. Sue Gue showed that immune cells in the right ventricle respond differently to stress than in the left ventricle.
- This response may cause heart remodeling and could become a new treatment target.
DNA Damage and Gene Regulation
- Dr. Steeve Provencher explained that damage to DNA and changes in gene activity contribute to blood vessel problems in pulmonary hypertension.
- Understanding this may lead to new biomarkers and treatments.
Day 3 – Precision Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, and Remote Monitoring
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Dr. Bradley Maron showed that artificial intelligence can help doctors detect pulmonary hypertension earlier, predict risk, and choose the best treatment for each patient.
Precision Medicine and Molecular Techniques
- Dr. Jane Leopold explained that studying genes, proteins, and cell activity helps doctors understand why patients respond differently.
- This allows treatments to be personalized, aiming for better outcomes.
Artificial intelligence Risk Models
- Dr. David Kiely described artificial intelligence tools that predict survival more accurately by combining many types of patient data.
Remote Monitoring
- Dr. Raymond Benza showed that sensors can track heart and lung pressures continuously at home.
- Remote monitoring helps doctors adjust treatment faster and prevent hospital visits.
Day 3 – Living Life with Pulmonary Hypertension
Living with Research and Innovation
- Dr. Alex Rothman explained that research and innovation should improve everyday life, not just clinical tests.
- Patients’ experiences help guide research to make real-life improvements.
Lifestyle and Exercise Programme
- Dr. Ciara McCormack shared a home-based program in Ireland for safe exercise and lifestyle changes.
- Patients can improve strength, fitness, and independence while staying safe.
- Education, home exercises, and support help patients live better with pulmonary hypertension.
Summary
The 2026 PVRI Congress showed that research, new treatments, and lifestyle strategies can help people with pulmonary hypertension live better lives.
Key messages:
- Sotatercept is effective long-term but requires monitoring.
- Right heart function is critical, and detailed assessment helps personalize care.
- Omics research studies genes, proteins, and metabolism to guide personalized medicine.
- Sleep, exercise, and lifestyle changes are important for daily life.
- Artificial intelligence and remote monitoring are promising tools for earlier detection, risk prediction, and more personalized treatment.