[Blockade of endothelin receptor with bosentan--a new principle of treatment in pulmonary arterial hypertension].

Blockade of endothelin receptors is a new drug principle for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Bosentan is a competitive blocker of endothelin receptors administered by the oral route. In clinical trials it has been shown to increase the functional capacity of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. This article describes the background, results of clinical trials, and practical guidelines for the use of bosentan in pulmonary arterial hypertension.