PPH Legal Blog

CHEST 2007, the scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians, reported that a recent study shows that most patients experience a 1-year delay between the onset of pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms and a confirmed diagnosis of the disease. The most common symptoms attributable to PAH are dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, chest pain and/or discomfort, and edema. Most patients consult with their physicians within 1 month of experiencing these symptoms, but the average time to being informed of a possible diagnosis of PAH (usually by right heart catheterization) was 7 months. Dr. C. Gregory Elliott, principal investigator in the REVEAL study (Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-term Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Management), emphasizes the importance of early detection: “With the number of FDA-approved agents for treating PAH increasing yearly, shortening the time to start of treatment might have a significant impact on patient outcomes.”To learn more, contact the PPH Lawyers at Williams Kherkher by calling 1.800.220.9341.