Efficacy and Safety of Selexipag in Pulmonary Hypertension: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Selexipag, a selective prostacyclin receptor agonist, has been evaluated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH), but results remain inconsistent. We performed an updated meta-analysis to assess its efficacy and safety. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched systematically from September 2025. Eligible studies were RCTs comparing selexipag with placebo in adults with PH. The primary outcome was the change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Secondary outcomes included 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), all-cause mortality, hospitalization for worsening PH, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), serious adverse events (SAEs), and treatment-related adverse events (AEs). A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan. Six RCTs enrolling 1686 patients were included. Selexipag therapy was associated with a statistically significant reduction in NT-proBNP (WMD = -150.19 pg/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] -185.88 to -114.51), hospitalization for worsening PH (odds ratio [OR] = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48-0.84), and SAEs (OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.38-0.59). Selexipag did not significantly reduce PVR (WMD = - 68.0 dyn·s·cm-5; 95% CI, -145.9 to 9.9) or improve 6MWD (WMD = -1.05 m; 95% CI, - 4.6 to 2.5), or mortality (OR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.44-1.45) as compared with placebo. Selexipag reduces hospitalizations, SAEs, and NT-proBNP levels but shows no clear benefit on PVR or 6MWD. Future trials are needed to confirm these findings.

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Journal
Cardiology in Review
Published
2026-02-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/crd.0000000000001185
Primary Topic
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
Type
article
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article

Efficacy and Safety of Selexipag in Pulmonary Hypertension: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nitish Behary Paray, Sheza Sohail, Malik Alta’amreh, E M A N Hassan et al.
Cardiology in Review
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
article

Efficacy and Safety of Selexipag in Pulmonary Hypertension: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nitish Behary Paray, Sheza Sohail, Malik Alta’amreh, E M A N Hassan, Jasandra Sutanto, Tallal Hashmi, Mee Hui Koh, Benjamin West, Rhoda Oluwatise Babasola, Moaz Alowami, Alexander Harvard, Chin Hoong Tan, Brandon Xian Ch'ng, Raheel Ahmed, Abdur Rahmaan, Shiuan Ho, Adnan Afridi
article en

Abstract

Selexipag, a selective prostacyclin receptor agonist, has been evaluated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH), but results remain inconsistent. We performed an updated meta-analysis to assess its efficacy and safety. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched systematically from September 2025. Eligible studies were RCTs comparing selexipag with placebo in adults with PH. The primary outcome was the change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Secondary outcomes included 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), all-cause mortality, hospitalization for worsening PH, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), serious adverse events (SAEs), and treatment-related adverse events (AEs). A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan. Six RCTs enrolling 1686 patients were included. Selexipag therapy was associated with a statistically significant reduction in NT-proBNP (WMD = -150.19 pg/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] -185.88 to -114.51), hospitalization for worsening PH (odds ratio [OR] = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48-0.84), and SAEs (OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.38-0.59). Selexipag did not significantly reduce PVR (WMD = - 68.0 dyn·s·cm-5; 95% CI, -145.9 to 9.9) or improve 6MWD (WMD = -1.05 m; 95% CI, - 4.6 to 2.5), or mortality (OR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.44-1.45) as compared with placebo. Selexipag reduces hospitalizations, SAEs, and NT-proBNP levels but shows no clear benefit on PVR or 6MWD. Future trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Cardiology in Review
University of Jordan (JO), North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (GB), University of Liverpool (GB), Rawalpindi Medical University (PK), University of Dundee (GB), Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (GB), Northwick Park Hospital (GB), Royal Liverpool University Hospital (GB), Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (AE), Royal Brompton Hospital (GB), Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GB), Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (GB), South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (GB), Whiston Hospital (GB), Imperial College London (GB), University of Sunderland (GB), St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (CA)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 50%
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
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