Basic and Clinical Sciences (BCSE) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Vasodilators serve a key role in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) primarily by relaxing vascular smooth muscle. This relaxation leads to the dilation of blood vessels within the pulmonary circulation, which reduces the resistance against which the heart must pump, ultimately helping to lower pulmonary arterial pressure. By decreasing this pressure, vasodilators can alleviate symptoms and improve exercise capacity in patients with PAH.

The activity of vasodilators specifically targets smooth muscle cells in the blood vessel walls, promoting a wider lumen through which blood can flow more freely. This mechanism directly addresses one of the underlying problems in PAH, where narrowing and stiffening of the pulmonary arteries contribute to elevated pressures and impaired heart function.

Understanding the mechanisms of vasodilators helps in comprehending their therapeutic effects—by reducing vascular resistance and facilitating better blood flow, they effectively improve the hemodynamics associated with PAH.