Transthoracic Echocardiography and Lung Ultrasound for Pulmonary Hypertension

This trial explores the link between left heart disease and various types of pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). Researchers aim to understand the interaction between the heart and lungs by comparing patients with different heart and lung conditions using tests like echocardiograms (heart ultrasound) and lung ultrasounds. Participants should have left heart disease and experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or fatigue. This trial may help identify better ways to manage these heart-lung issues in the future. As a Phase 2 trial, the research focuses on measuring the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group, offering participants a chance to contribute to early-stage advancements in managing heart-lung conditions.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does exclude those using pulmonary hypertension-specific drugs. It's best to discuss your medications with the trial team.

Previous studies have shown that lung ultrasound is a safe and risk-free method, often used to assess lung and heart health. This technique has no known side effects, making it a comfortable choice for many patients.

Research also shows that transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is safe and effective. TTE, a common test that uses sound waves to create heart images, is non-invasive and has been widely used without reported safety issues.

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to better understand pulmonary hypertension in patients with left heart disease using advanced imaging techniques like transthoracic echocardiography and lung ultrasound. Unlike standard treatments that focus primarily on managing symptoms with medications such as diuretics or vasodilators, this study seeks to categorize patients based on specific hemodynamic profiles. By identifying whether a patient has no pulmonary hypertension, vasoactive or fixed pulmonary vascular disease, or isolated pulmonary venous hypertension, doctors can tailor treatments more precisely. This trial could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment plans, potentially enhancing patient outcomes.

In this trial, participants will undergo both lung ultrasound and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to assess heart and lung health. Research has shown that lung ultrasound is a helpful tool for checking and predicting outcomes in people with heart failure. It detects high blood pressure in the lungs related to left heart problems, especially in urgent situations. TTE, on the other hand, is useful for diagnosing and assessing the severity of left heart issues. Studies indicate that it accurately estimates pressures in the heart and lungs. Both methods are non-invasive and provide important insights into heart and lung health. These tools hold promise for managing conditions related to high blood pressure in the lungs and left heart disease.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰