Determinants of Right Heart Remodeling in Patients With CTEPH or PAH
Chronic Thrombo-embolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionRight heart failure is the main cause of morbi-mortality in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), including patients of chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) etiologies. Endarterectomy is an effective treatment for patients with CTEPH to lower pulmonary pressure. Evidence of postoperative right heart remodeling are contrasted according to the studies and determinants of right heart failure are still unclear. Similarly, few evidence exists on right ventricular remodeling after bilateral lung transplantation for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Recent evidence have supported the role of inflammation and immunity in the pathophysiology of PAH . While several cytokines have been shown to predict survival , little is known on the implication of inflammation and immunity in postoperative Right Ventricular failure in patients with PAH. • The specific translational goal of this current project is to elucidate the role of immune biomarkers in 6 months postoperative right heart adverse remodeling in patients with CTEPH or PAH. We speculate that selected immune biomarkers (such as CXCL9, interleukin -18 or interferon) and growth factors (such as HGF) are correlated with mid-term postoperative right heart failure. All consecutive adults with either CTEPH referred to our center for endarterectomy, or PAH referred for lung transplantation, will be included, aiming for 150 CTEPH and 50 PAH. After inclusion, patients will undergo assessment of right heart dimensions and function by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, including 4-Dimensions blood flow sequences) and 2D and 3D trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE), as well as immune panel analysis. All patients will undergo as part of routine care right heart catheterization within a week after TTE and MRI imaging. On the day of surgery, pulmonary pressure will be measured by right heart catheterization monitoring (as part of routine care) in order to estimate the drop of pressure and to adjust for the extent of endarterectomy for patients with CTEPH. TTE will also be performed on the day of surgery if possible. At 7 days post-endarterectomy or transplant, clinical outcomes will be collected and peripheral blood will be collected. Patients will be prospectively follow-up for 6 months. Death, need for reintervention, duration of vasopressor after surgery and number, duration and cause of readmission will be recorded. At 6 months after surgery, all survivors will undergo the same biological sampling, as well as an 4D MRI and a 2D and 3D TTE. Data of right heart catheterization at 6 months (as part of routine care) will be collected as well.
Effectiveness of the Vasodilator Test With Revatio, Made in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Hypertension...
Pulmonary HypertensionThe main objective is to validate the safety and efficacy of intravenous and oral sildenafil in the acute vasodilator test in patients with persistence of, at least, moderate pulmonary hypertension after valvular surgery successfully, with a correct left ventricular function and no valvular disease hemodynamically significant.
Anxiety Self-management Intervention for Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary HypertensionPulmonary Arterial Hypertension2 morePulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disorder of high blood pressure that impacts the heart and lungs. Approximately, 50% of individuals with PH experience anxiety or panic disorders. There is limited evidence on psychological treatments for anxiety in PH; however, results support the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Despite the prevalence and impact of anxiety in PH; there are no widely available and/or disease specific pathways, thus highlighting an unmet need in this population. This project aims to develop and pilot, using randomised control trial methodology, a self-management intervention for individuals with PH based on principles of CBT.
Effects of Apelin on the Lung Circulation in Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionHeart FailureThe purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Apelin on the lung circulation. The investigators hypothesise that Apelin will relax the lung blood vessels and improve the pumping ability of the heart.
Evaluation of the Prevalence of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension in Neonates
Transient Tachypnea of the NewbornPPHNTransient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) is one of the common causes of neonatal respiratory distress as a result of delayed clearance of fetal lung fluid. Neonates with TTN usually require noninvasive respiratory support (e.g. nasal cannula, nasal CPAP) and may need supplemental oxygen therapy to maintain normal oxygen saturation levels. There have also been reports of "malignant TTN," in which affected children develop persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).
Noninvasive Cardiac Output Measurements in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Undergoing Right...
Pulmonary HypertensionSubjects in this study have been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and their doctors have referred them for a right heart catheterization (RHC). Heart catheterization involves inserting an IV (a needle with a small tube) into a vein in the neck. A long, narrow tube, called a catheter, is guided through the IV into the blood vessel and guided to the heart (sometimes this procedure can be done through a vein in the groin instead). Once the catheter is in place, small instruments can be inserted into the catheter to measure the pressures in different areas of the heart. These measurements can help the doctor diagnose possible problems with the heart functioning. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the measurements provided by a device, called Noninvasive Cardiac Output Monitoring (NICOM). The NICOM device is non-invasive which means the investigators do not have to go inside the body to obtain the heart pressure measurements. While the device has been approved for use in any patient, it remains possible that patients with PH will have differences in the way the device calculates measurements. In this study, the investigators will compare the in-the-body (right heart catheterization) measurements to the non-invasive, outside-body measurements provided by the NICOM device to evaluate any differences. The NICOM device is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to measure heart pressures. This device is usually used when a patient can't undergo a right heart catheterization. In this study, the investigators are using the device to gather heart pressure measurements for research during the right heart catheterization procedure that is scheduled as part of the patients' normal, routine care. The research data is being used to devise better, less invasive ways to assess disease severity, track disease progression and evaluate response to therapy. The NICOM device is made by Cheetah Medical.
Pharmacogenomics in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionPulmonary Hypertension1 moreOur goal is to determine clinically in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension patients if associations exist between the efficacy and toxicity of sitaxsentan, bosentan, and ambrisentan and several gene polymorphisms in several key disease-specific and therapy specific genes. Also characterized is the relationship between these polymorphisms and the severity of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension using either baseline hemodynamic or clinical surrogates for disease severity. Hypothesis: Polymorphisms influence the efficacy and toxicity of specific Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension therapy as well as development/severity of PAH via their effect on PA remodeling, drug response, or metabolism. This study requires a one time 8.5 ml blood sample and clinical data to be obtained at initiation of therapy, 4 months after initiation of therapy and 12 months after initiation of therapy.
The Role of Echocardiographic Contrast (Optison) in Enhancing Tricuspid Regurgitation Spectral Doppler...
HypertensionPulmonaryThe investigators aim to correlate noninvasive pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) measurements obtained with and without echocardiographic contrast (Optison) during transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with those obtained invasively and simultaneously during right heart catheterization, as the gold standard.
Efficacy and Safety of Upfront Combination of ΒΟsentan and ΤΑdalafil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension...
Pulmonary HypertensionThe development of disease-targeted drugs for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has significantly improved within the last years. Combining drug products with different mechanisms of action such as Endothelin-Receptor-Antagonists (ERAs) and Phosphodiesterase-Type-5-inhibitors (PDE-5-Inhibitors) has become increasingly important for the treatment of PAH. Recently, the results of the AMBITION study reported that an upfront combination treatment of ambrisentan and tadalafil immediately after diagnosis leads to a delayed disease progression. On the other hand, the sequential combination of bosentan and sildenafil did not show a similar positive clinical effect and this was attributed to a negative clinically relevant pharmacodynamic drug-drug interaction. Although, recent guidelines have extrapolated that initial upfront combination treatment follows a class effect in terms of efficacy and safety, there is an imperative need to support this notion with other combinations of ERAs and PDE-5-Inhibitors.
Noninvasive Cardiac Output Measurements in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Undergoing Exercise...
Pulmonary HypertensionSubjects in this study have been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and their doctors have referred them for an exercise test as part of their normal, routine care. The exercise test will either be a treadmill test or a 6 minute walk test. During a treadmill test, a patient typically walks on a treadmill while their heart is monitored using an electrocardiogram, which records the electrical activity of the heart through 10 small electrode patches attached to the skin of the chest, arms and legs. Additionally, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored throughout the test. A 6-Minute Walk test requires patients to walk for up to 6 minutes to determine how far they can go in order to measure the heart function related to exercise. The purpose of this study is to measure internal heart pressures using a device called Noninvasive Cardiac Output Monitoring (NICOM) during an exercise test. Normally heart pressures are measured during invasive (meaning that doctors have to go inside the body using a needle or surgery) heart procedures. The NICOM device is non-invasive which means the investigators do not have to go inside the body to obtain the heart pressure measurements. In this study, the investigators will evaluate the non-invasive measurements provided by the NICOM device during the exercise test and see how it relates to information from some of subjects' past heart procedures. This research is being done to devise better, less invasive ways to assess disease severity, track disease progression and evaluate response to therapy. The NICOM device is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to measure heart pressures. This device is usually used when a patient can't undergo a right heart catheterization. In this study, the investigators are using the device to gather heart pressure measurements for research during the exercise test that is scheduled as part of the subjects' normal, routine care. The research data is being used to devise better, less invasive ways to assess disease severity, track disease progression and evaluate response to therapy. The NICOM device is made by Cheetah Medical.