Early diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) remains a major clinical challenge due to nonspecific symptoms and reliance on invasive testing.
Researchers identified elevated levels of the NOTCH extracellular domain (NOTCH3-ECD) in patients with IPAH. This biomarker reliably distinguished IPAH from healthy controls and other pulmonary hypertension subtypes, while also correlating with disease severity and morality risk.
Why it matters…
IPAH diagnosis currently relies on invasive right-heart catheterization. A simple blood test could earlier detection, better risk stratification, and longitudinal disease monitoring, reducing diagnostic delays and patient burden.
Big picture…
If validated in larger cohorts, NOTCH3-ECD could move IPAH diagnostics toward a safer, more accessible, blood based approach in routine clinical practice.
Could blood biomarkers eventually replace invasive diagnostics in pulmonary vascular disease?
MBH/AB