11th May 2025

General Supportive Therapy

General supportive therapy has a role for improving patient’s symptoms and quality of life, although has limited impact on disease progression.

• Anticoagulation therapy – in PAH and CTEPH
• Diuretics (furosemide, spironolactone) – in patients with fluid overload symptoms of right heart failure
• Digoxin – in patients with concurrent arrhythmia (such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter)
• Oxygen therapy – in patients with hypoxaemia 
• Avoid pregnancy – woman of childbearing age should be given progesterone-only contraception (to avoid prothrombotic effects of the combined pill) and termination is recommended in the event of pregnancy 
• Annual influenza vaccine
• Encourage low level aerobic exercise, avoid high intensity exercis