Improving Pulmonary Hypertension Screening by Echocardiography

Launched by ROYAL UNITED HOSPITALS BATH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Sep 12, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new method called the IMPULSE algorithm to help improve the screening for pulmonary hypertension (PH), a condition where the blood pressure in the lungs is too high. The trial aims to find out if this algorithm can accurately identify people who might have PH, especially those who do not show obvious signs of the condition according to existing guidelines. Researchers are currently recruiting participants aged between 65 and 74 who experience unexplained breathlessness, have certain risk factors for types of PH, or have elevated levels of a substance called BNP in their blood.

To participate, individuals must be referred for a procedure called catheterization, which helps measure pressures in the heart and lungs. However, those who already show a high likelihood of having PH based on previous tests, have known heart defects, or are not expected to benefit from treatment will not be included. If you join the trial, you can expect to undergo additional tests using the IMPULSE algorithm to help determine if you have this condition, which can lead to better management and treatment options.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Unexplained breathlessness
• • Risk factors for Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
• • Unexplained elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP/proBNP)
• • Referred for catheterisation.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • ESC / BSE echo high probability of PH
• • Known or suspected congenital heart disease
• • Patients unlikely to benefit from management of PH or its underlying causes.