Non-invasive estimated PVR in Group 3 pulmonary hypertension
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Non-invasive composite estimate of pulmonary vascular resistance in Group 3 pulmonary hypertension
IRAS ID
351192
Contact name
Colin Church
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 0 months, 29 days
Research summary
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) is a measure of how much resistance to blood flow there is in the arteries within the lung. It is calculated from measurements obtained during an invasive procedure called right heart catheterisation. It has been shown in patients who have pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lung arteries) that's caused by advanced lung disease (such as COPD or lung scarring called fibrosis) that PVR can determine whether the pulmonary hypertension is severe or non-severe, which determines the decision on whether to offer treatment. Echocardiogram cannot directly measure PVR, but it has been shown that some echocardiogram-based measurements can be used to calculate an estimate of PVR. This has previously been studied in a subset of these patients that have been referred for lung transplant but not in the whole group. It would be useful to determine if echocardiogram-based PVR is a good estimate in patient group and whether it can be used to predict outcomes for these patients.
Additionally, it would be useful to evaluate if any other non-invasive tests can be combined with the Echocardiogram measurements to make an improved estimate. This study will involve looking back at echocardiogram measurements and other non-invasive measurements (NT-proBNP blood test, breathing tests, six-minute walk test) that have been taken when patients were first diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, comparing them to the PVR obtained during right heart catheter and also to see whether the measurement can predict how patients respond to treatment or how long they survive. The study will be analysing previously collected data from the time they were diagnosed and patients will not require any further investigation that has not been included out with their usual standard care.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0270
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion