
Study on the Clinical Course Of Pulmonary Embolism
Cardiovascular DiseasesVenous Thromboembolism1 moreThe course of both pulmonary embolism (PE) and one of its more relevant late complications, i.e. chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is still substantially unknown. Recent evidence has shown that the incidence of CTEPH is higher than previously believed, but this has not been confirmed by other studies. A clear link between PE and CTEPH has been questioned by some experts. A great number of patients affected by PE persistently have residual chronic thromboembolic material the meaning of which is a matter of debate. The evidence sustaining a link between chronic residual PE and subsequent PE recurrences or CTEPH is insufficient. Thus, a nationwide, multicentre, prospective cohort study was designed with the following aims: to ascertain the incidence of symptomatic CTEPH after a first episode of acute PE; to ascertain the incidence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) recurrences after a first episode of acute PE; to evaluate whether a relation exists between chronic residual PE and CTEPH to evaluate whether a relation exists between chronic residual PE and VTE recurrences; to evaluate whether a relation exists between persistent right ventricular dysfunction and CTEPH; to evaluate whether a relation exists between persistent right ventricular dysfunction and PE recurrences. For each enrolling centre, consecutive outpatients or inpatients with an objectively diagnosed first acute PE episode are considered eligible.

The Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in the Patients With IPAH and Secondary PH
HypertensionPulmonaryPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease with high mortality rate, but due to the development of drugs, the prognosis of the disease has improved. However patients still have poor exercise capacity and decrease of the quality of life. Past studies have shown that idiopathic and secondary PH are different in etiology and prognosis. It is necessary to further understand the difference between exercise capacity and quality of life of these two types of patients.

Idiopathic Pre-capillary Pulmonary Hypertension in ESKD Patients
Pulmonary HypertensionThis study investigates the prevalence and prognosis of idiopathic pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

CTEPH DIAGNOSIS Europe - MRI
Pulmonary HypertensionPhase III diagnostic trial to demonstrate that functional lung MRI can replace VQ-SPECT in a diagnostic strategy for patients with suspected CTEPH where positive findings are verified with catheter pulmonary angiography (CPA), or computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)

Sleep Related Breathing Disturbances and High Altitude Pulmonary Hypertension in Kyrgyz Highlanders...
High Altitude Pulmonary HypertensionSleep ApneaHigh altitude pulmonary hypertension, a form of altitude illness that occurs in long-term residents at altitudes >2500 m, is characterized by dyspnea, hypoxemia, impaired exercise performance and hypertension in the pulmonary circulation. Whether sleep related breathing disturbances, common causes of nocturnal hypoxemia in lowlanders, are also prevalent in highlanders and promote pulmonary hypertension in highlanders is unknown. Therefore, the current study will investigate whether highlanders with high altitude pulmonary hypertension have a greater prevalence of sleep apnea than healthy highlanders and lowlanders.

Non-interventional Multi-center Study on Patients Under Routine Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial...
Pulmonary HypertensionThis pilot, non-interventional, company-sponsored, multi-center study documents observational data on patients under routine treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) with inhaled iloprost (using I-Neb device for the inhalation). The planned study recruitment time is 18 months. The maximum follow up period in this study will be 12 months. The data will be collected from patients who have initiated the treatment mentioned above (inhaled iloprost using I-Neb device) since February 1st, 2013. Frequency of visits and procedures will be performed under routine conditions. The primary objective of this study is to assess the compliance of patients with WHO/NYHA (World Health Organization/New York Heart Association) functional Class III Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension treated with Inhaled Iloprost in clinical practice, using the I-neb Insight tool.

HYPID (Pulmonary Hypertension in Interstitial Lung Disease) EXTENSION
Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionDiffuse Interstitial Lung DiseaseHYPID-2 study is an extension of HYPID study (NCT01443598) : HYPID-2 is also an observational and prospective study of patients with interstitial lung disease and pre capillary hypertension diagnosed by right heart sided catheterization. It concerns only incident patients (i.e patients included within 6 months after PH diagnosis) whereas HYPID concerned prevalent and incident cases. The primary aim is the same than HYPID : identify prognostic factors

Examination of Ventavis (Iloprost) Inhalation Behavior Using the I-Neb AAD System in Patients With...
HypertensionPulmonaryThe aim of this study is to examine inhalation behavior in patients enrolled in the German Ventavis patient support program Ventaplus when these patients are switched from Ventavis (Iloprost) 10 μg/mL to Ventavis (Iloprost) 20 μg/mL formulation.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension: Prevalence and Quality of Life...
HypertensionPulmonary2 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) among patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and to assess the quality of life in those patients with concomitant PH compared to COPD patients without PH and those only suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) respectively.

Heart Disease in Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell AnemiaPulmonary HypertensionThis study will explore what may cause people with sickle cell anemia to have heart problems and an increased risk of sudden death. People 18 years of age and older with sickle cell anemia may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history and physical examination, electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), and blood tests. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures: Holter monitoring: The patient wears a small, battery-operated device to record heart rate and rhythm over 24 to 48 hours. QRST surface mapping: An EKG using 64 electrodes is done at rest and during exercise to provide a detailed look at the heart and its conduction system. Chest x-rays are taken to examine the lungs. Bicycle exercise echocardiography test: Blood pressure, pulse, heart rhythm and oxygen use are monitored while the patient exercises on a stationary bicycle. Ultrasound pictures are also obtained during the exercise. Echocardiogram: A heart ultrasound is done to check how well the heart is pumping blood. Pulmonary artery catheterization: A catheter (plastic tube) is inserted into a vein and advanced to the chambers of the heart, through the heart valve and into the lung artery. The pressures in the heart and lung blood vessels are measured while the patient is resting and during exercise, with the bed tilted up and down, and after giving 500 mls of fluid into a vein. Blood tests are done to measure a hormone called brain natriuretic peptide, which can increase with the development of heart failure, and nitrite, a substance that can affect blood vessel dilation. Some blood is stored to test for inflammatory markers and for possible future gene and protein analysis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI): The patient lies in a donut-shaped magnet while pictures of the heart are obtained using a magnetic field and radio waves. Earplugs are worn to muffle the loud sounds that occur with electrical switching of the magnetic fields. A contrast agent called gadolinium may be injected to enhance the quality of the images. Invasive electrocardiographic (reveal) monitoring: This procedure permits study of the heart rhythms over a long time period. A small device is placed just under the skin on the left side of the chest. It can be left in for up to 14 months to monitor the heartbeat continuously during this time.