Regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted chemokine and interleukin-6 in rheumatic pulmonary hypertension, targets for therapeutic decisions.

Background: Recent studies have highlighted the possible influence of chemokines and cytokines on several types of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Increasing interest has also been focussed on their role as a cause of post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) organ dysfunction.

Hypothesis: Chemokines and cytokines are involved in the pathobiology of rheumatic PAH.