Endothelin as a Treatment Target in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Recent Step Forward

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality, significantly influencing quality of life and causing a burden on the healthcare system. Current treatment strategies utilize modern therapeutics, such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, which are both effective and safe. However, despite current medicines, acute cardiovascular events and chronic complications of CVDs remain significantly prevalent. Furthermore, CVDs are strongly linked to metabolic and inflammatory conditions that create a pathophysiological network of interactions, worsening the health of individuals. Therefore, identifying novel therapeutic targets and treatment combinations is of great importance to further mitigate the harmful effects of CVDs. Recently, aprocitentan, an endothelin-1 inhibitor, was approved to treat arterial hypertension. Meanwhile, endothelin has become a therapeutic target in CVDs, with inhibitors previously registered and used to treat pulmonary hypertension. Thus, this review aims to comprehensively discuss the role of endothelin-1 as a therapeutic target in CVDs and related disorders.