Innovations pharmacologiques dans la dyspnée

The persistence of dyspnea despite optimal treatment of the underlying pathology defines « refractory » dyspnea. Moreover, because of its frequency, dyspnea represents a major therapeutic challenge. The pathophysiological mechanisms are numerous and involve respiratory sensory afferents who walk the vagus nerve and central areas of integration. Several mediators and receptors are potentially involved in dyspnea, like the opioids, the purinergic system (ATP and adenosine above), or the vanilloid receptors (TRPV1). Opioids are already a treatment of refractory dyspnea.