Michael D. McGoon, M.D.

Investigational projects within the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic are intended to improve therapy of pulmonary hypertensive syndromes, including idiopathic pulmonary (arterial hypertension (idiopathic PAH), and pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease CTD), liver disease, congenital heart disease (CHD), HIV infection, and appetite suppressant use.

We have been, and continue to be, a major participant in clinical studies of investigational drugs. This has included in the past (1) the investigational use of intravenous epoprostenol (prostacyclin; Flolan) in idiopathic and scleroderma-related PAH, (2) clinical study protocols of the prostacyclin analogs treprostinil and beraprost in pulmonary hypertension and of the endothelin (ET) antagonists bosentan and ambrisentan in PAH, (3) assessment of a thromboxane inhibitor in PAH, and (4) the effect of sildenafil and tadalafil on PAH.

From a diagnostic standpoint, a novel method of continuously monitoring pulmonary hemodynamic responses to treatment using an implanted device is currently under investigation.

We are the highest enroller in a nationwide registry (REVEAL) of PAH.