CompletedObservational

Understanding patients with elevated pulmonary arterial pressure

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a serious condition where the blood vessels connecting the heart and lungs become narrow. This raises blood pressure in the lungs and puts extra strain on the heart. Doctors usually diagnose the condition when pressure passes a certain level, but slightly raised pressure can also cause problems. Researchers led by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust are studying past medical notes from seven UK specialist centres between 2009 and 2020. They are reviewing data from adults who had a standard hospital test to measure lung blood pressure, known as a right heart catheter test. Because this study only looks back at existing records, participants do not need to attend hospital visits, try new treatments, or give extra blood samples. The goal is to see how borderline lung pressure changes over time, helping doctors step in earlier to support patients.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

2,000

Start

01 Jan 2009

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2020

Pulmonary arterial hypertension

What is this study about?

Your heart works continuously to pump blood to your lungs, where it picks up fresh oxygen. In pulmonary arterial hypertension, the blood vessels between the heart and lungs become stiff and narrow. This causes blood pressure to rise inside the lungs, forcing the right side of the heart to work much harder to push blood through. Over time, this extra work can cause breathlessness, extreme tiredness, and heart strain.

Doctors usually diagnose pulmonary hypertension when pressure readings go above a specific number. However, many people have readings that are slightly higher than normal, but not high enough for a formal diagnosis. At the moment, doctors do not fully understand which of these borderline patients will stay well and which might go on to develop more severe disease.

To answer this question, researchers are examining past medical files from seven specialist NHS hospitals across the UK. They are tracking the health journeys of patients who had heart and lung pressure tests between 2009 and 2020. By comparing test results, treatments, and long-term health outcomes, the team hopes to find clear patterns in how early disease develops.

This study matters because catching health problems early often gives doctors the best chance to help. If doctors can learn who is most at risk of developing definite pulmonary hypertension, they can create clearer national guidelines, monitor patients more safely, and potentially start helpful treatments before any lasting damage occurs.

Key takeaways

The study examines slightly raised blood pressure in the arteries connecting the heart and lungs.
It uses past NHS medical records collected between 2009 and 2020 across seven specialist UK centres.
Patients do not need to attend extra hospital visits, have new tests, or change their current medicines.
Led by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust to understand how early lung pressure changes progress.
The findings aim to help doctors spot pulmonary hypertension earlier and guide better future care.

Who may be eligible?

This study looks at past medical data from adults aged 18 and older who had a specialist procedure called a right heart catheter test between 1 January 2009 and 1 March 2020. This test directly measures pressure in the heart and lungs and must have been carried out at one of the participating NHS specialist pulmonary hypertension centres.

To be included, the hospital records must have complete and clear numbers for lung artery pressure and blood vessel resistance. Because the study focuses on early and untreated disease patterns, records cannot be used if the person was already taking targeted pulmonary hypertension medications before their first test.

Additionally, the study excludes records from anyone who had received a heart or lung transplant before their first test, or who was taking part in an experimental clinical drug trial at that time.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

You were aged 18 or older at the time of your first lung pressure test.
You had a right heart catheter test at a specialist UK NHS centre between 2009 and 2020.
Your medical records include clear measurements of lung blood pressure.
You had not started specific pulmonary hypertension medicines before your first test.
You have never had a heart or lung transplant.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part does not involve any active appointments, tests, or changes to your daily life. Because this is a retrospective observational study, researchers only review health notes and test results that were already recorded between 2009 and 2020. You will not need to visit a clinic, take experimental medicines, or undergo new procedures. Researchers manage all data securely through NHS specialist hospital systems.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no physical risks, tests, or side effects involved, as the study only uses past health records. All personal information is kept strictly confidential under NHS data security rules. Taking part will not directly change your own current medical care, but the findings may help future patients by teaching doctors how to detect and treat high lung pressure sooner. Under NHS rules, you always have the right to register a national data opt-out if you do not want your confidential records used in medical research.

Locations (7)

Royal Free London
Approximate
London, England
Hammersmith Hospital
Approximate
London, England
The Royal Brompton Hospital
City only
London, England
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Approximate
Sheffield, England
Freeman Hospital
Approximate
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Royal Papworth Hospital
Unverified
Cambridge, England
The Golden Jubilee Hospital
Unverified
Glasgow, Scotland

Common questions

Do I need to go to hospital or take new tests for this study?

No. The study only looks back at existing records from tests that were already completed between 2009 and 2020.

Will this study change the treatment or medications I take now?

No. The researchers are purely observing past data. Your ongoing care, prescriptions, and regular check-ups will stay exactly as they are.

What is a right heart catheter test?

It is a routine hospital procedure where a thin, flexible tube is gently placed into the heart and lung blood vessels to measure blood pressure accurately.

How is my personal medical information kept safe?

All information is handled under strict UK data protection laws. Identifying details are protected and stored securely by the NHS research team.

What if I do not want my past medical records used for research?

You can choose to opt out of research sharing at any time through the NHS National Data Opt-Out service without affecting your regular medical care.

How to find out more

Ivy Wanjiku Dakouri

ivy.wanjiku@nhs.net +44 (0)2073177544 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.