My Quest for Calcium Channel Blockers as the First Medical Treatment for Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

4 August 2025

Stuart Rich

https://doi.org/10.1002/pul2.70151

Abstract

In 1979, during my cardiology fellowship, a 16-year-old with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), a rare and severe condition at that time, spurred my research. There was limited literature then. My pediatric cardiology colleagues, who were experienced in dealing with pulmonary hypertension linked to congenital heart diseases, introduced me to vasoreactivity testing, a method involving the administration of oxygen and tolazoline to assess operability. Tolazoline administration resulted in a significant decrease in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, suggesting potential therapeutic responsiveness, though diuretics were the only treatment for pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure at that time. This prompted my search for a viable solution.

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