RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Pulmonary Hemodynamics During Exercise - Research Network

Researchers are investigating how the blood vessels in the lungs respond to exercise in people who might have conditions affecting lung circulation. This is called 'pulmonary hemodynamics'. The study uses information gathered during a special test called a 'right heart catheterisation' (RHC). The main goal is to find out if changes in lung blood pressure during exercise can help doctors predict how a person's condition might progress over time. They are looking at a large amount of patient data, both from the past and new information collected specifically for this study, involving many different hospitals.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Medical University of Graz

Enrolment target

1,500

Start

01 Dec 2018

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2029

Pulmonary Circulation Diseases

What is this study about?

This research project, called the 'Pulmonary Hemodynamics During Exercise - Research Network', is focused on understanding how the blood pressure and blood flow in your lungs (what doctors call pulmonary hemodynamics) behave when you exercise. These measurements are taken using a common procedure called a right heart catheterisation (RHC). The study aims to look at a large group of patients across many different hospitals.

The main reason for doing this research is to see if measuring these lung pressures during exercise can give doctors important clues about your long-term health. By looking at existing patient information and collecting new data, the researchers hope to identify specific patterns that might predict how your condition will develop over time. This could help doctors make better decisions about your care in the future.

In simple terms, they want to understand if your body's response to exercise, specifically in your lung's blood vessels, is a good indicator of your future health, particularly for people with certain lung conditions. This understanding could lead to better ways to manage and treat these conditions.

Key takeaways

Focuses on lung blood pressure during exercise.
Aims to predict future health in lung circulation conditions.
Uses information from a standard heart test (RHC).
No new medications are involved.
Your data helps improve care for others.
You can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older, men and women, who are already having a right heart catheterisation (RHC) procedure. This procedure would be done because there's a concern about your lung circulation, perhaps due to unexplained breathlessness or other heart ultrasound findings suggesting a lung problem.

To join, you'll need to provide your written consent after fully understanding what the study involves. For some parts of the study, existing information may be used. For other parts, you might be asked to participate directly.

However, you wouldn't be able to join if you have incomplete information from previous heart tests, or if there isn't enough information about your health over time. You would also be excluded if you have certain advanced illnesses like severe cancer or severe heart failure that heavily affects lung pressures, or if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or very severe lung diseases like emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

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.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you already having a right heart catheterisation because doctors are concerned about your lung circulation or breathlessness?
Do you have enough previous health information or is there enough likely to be collected?
Do you not have severe advanced conditions like certain cancers, very severe heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or very serious long-term lung diseases?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study primarily involves reviewing information from a special heart test called a right heart catheterisation (RHC), which you would already be having for your medical care. For some participants, new information from this test will be collected specifically for the study. There are no extra medications involved. The study will also look at your health over time, so information about your health and any treatments or changes in your condition would be important. The total duration of your involvement could vary, as it involves both looking at past records and potentially following up on new data.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might not offer direct medical benefits to you personally, as it's mainly about gathering information to help others in the future. However, your involvement contributes to valuable scientific knowledge that could improve understanding and care for people with lung circulation diseases. The main 'intervention' is an assessment already being done as part of your standard care (right heart catheterisation), so there are no additional medical risks from new procedures. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical treatment.

Locations (32)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Arizona, Banner University Medical Center
Verified postcode
Phoenix, United States· Recruiting
University of California, Los Angeles, Lung & Heart-Lung Transplant and Pulmonary Hypertension Programs, David Geffen School of Medicine
Verified postcode
Los Angeles, United States· Recruiting
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Advanced HF, MCS, Transplant Cardiology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Verified postcode
Baltimore, United States· Recruiting
Massachusetts General Hospital, Cardiology Division and Pulmonary Unit
Verified postcode
Boston, United States· Recruiting
Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Verified postcode
Boston, United States· Recruiting
University of Minnesota Medical School, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Lillehei Heart Institute Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Verified postcode
Minneapolis, United States· Recruiting
Mayo Clinic, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine
Verified postcode
Rochester, United States· Recruiting
Medical University of South Carolina
Verified postcode
Charleston, United States· Recruiting
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Respiratory Medicine
Verified postcode
Camperdown, Australia· Recruiting
Medical University of Graz
Verified postcode
Graz, Austria· Recruiting
Free University of Brussels, Faculty of Medicine, Physiology
Verified postcode
Brussels, Belgium· Recruiting
University of São Paulo Medical School
Verified postcode
São Paulo, Brazil· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'right heart catheterisation'?

It's a procedure where a thin, flexible tube is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in your neck or groin, and guided into your heart and the main artery to your lungs. It helps doctors measure pressures and oxygen levels there.

Will I have to do extra exercise for this study?

The study uses information from a right heart catheterisation that may involve some exercise during the test, which you would already be having as part of your medical evaluation. There are no additional exercise requirements just for the study.

Is this study giving me new medicine?

No, this study is observational. It focuses on collecting and analysing information from clinical tests and your medical records. It does not involve giving new medicines.

How long will I be involved?

Your involvement depends on whether your existing data is being reviewed or if new data is collected. If new data is collected, the study will also look at your health outcomes over a period of time to understand the long-term implications.

Who is running this study?

This is a collaboration between different hospitals and researchers to gather a large amount of information, rather than being run by a single organisation or doctor.

How to find out more

Gabor Kovacs, MD

gabor.kovacs@klinikum-graz.at +43-316-385 Official trial record

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