[The Fifth World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension].

Sometimes pivotal events can be identified in the history of a disease that mark the borders of different eras in the diagnosis or treatment. One of these pivotal events in the history of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was the publication in 1996 of the paper of Barst et al. (1) on continuous intravenous epoprostenol therapy for primary pulmonary hypertension. For the first time, a medical therapy was shown to reduce substantially the mortality of a disease defined as the “kingdom of the near dead” (2). In her outstanding career, Dr. Barst made considerable contributions to the additional pivotal events in the PAH history, which can be identified in the World Symposia on Pulmonary Hypertension (WSPH) that has been held since 1973. The influence of Dr. Barst spanned every aspect of the disease from pediatrics to adulthood and from genetics to randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). Her interventions in the discussions were unmistakable and full of energy and passion, and this passion also characterized her last days when the energy was fading.We miss her, and we would like to remember her with the last gift she has left us: the example of a physician and a scientist fully engaged in her activity until the end of her life. Even if she was not able to personally attend the meeting, we dedicate the 5th WSPH to her memory. The achievements of the differentWSPH have marked the progress made on this condition. The firstWSPHwas held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1973 and was organized by the World Health Organization because of an epidemic of PAH cases due to the use of aminorex, an anorexigen drug (3). A simple clinical classification was proposed at this meeting (primary, secondary, and associated pulmonary hypertension [PH]) together with the hemodynamic definition of the disease as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure 25 mm Hg.