Activity

The Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute and its Future

The Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute and its Future (PVRI) has three primary objectives: to improve the care of patients all over the world who suffer from pulmonary vascular disease (PVD), to facilitate and accelerate research in the clinical and and basic science of the disease, and to encourage the development of new therapies. Membership is open to all who work in the field of PVD. We hold two international meetings every year: one is the annual world congress on pulmonary vascular disease while the other is concerned with drug discovery and development. Beginning in 2007 in malta, the annual congress has been held in a different country every year in order to increase awareness of the disease and to facilitate interaction and collaboration across the world. So having been in existence now for 8 years. The PVRI is a democratic organization with a worldwide membership, and the logistics of keeping everyone informed and involved have became more challenging as we have grown from an early membership of about 20 to the present membership of 768. The organization has been strengthened immeasurably by the appointment of a chief executive, Stephanie Barwick, last April, by defining the regulations by which we govern ourselves, and by clarifying the structure of the PVRI (http://www.pvri.info). With respect to improving clinical care in developing countries, common problems include lack of awareness and a shortage of experience in treating PVD. The PVRI is in an ideal position to help: (1) the concept of holding PVRI regional master classes in the diagnosis and management of PVD. (2) The PVRI works constantly to keep its program of webinars up to date. (3) Because many clinicians working in isolation have sleepless nights worrying about difficult patient. (4) Many countries wish to develop clinical networks and to extend networks across borders. (5) Education and training are fundamental to improving the care of patients with PVD.
The PVRI is in an ideal position to facilitate and accelerate research in both clinical and basic science. People working in remote regions often lack the resources and infrastructure to investigate the most intriguing questions. Collaborating with more fortune colleagues in other countries can be of great mutual benefit, in examining the pathobiology of schistosomiasis. Encouraging the development of new therapies is extremely difficult. The pathobiology of PVD is complex, knowing the most promising signaling pathway(s). In summary, the PVRI is poised to lead very significant advances in the care and therapeutic management of patients with PVD. We have an enthusiastic and energetic membership and working together over the years, we have the potential to achieve our goals.