NOVIS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
NOn-inVasive refinement of rIsk Stratification in Pulmonary Hypertension (NOVIS)
IRAS ID
356453
Contact name
Ellis Cerrone
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition that affects blood flow in the lungs, making it harder for the heart to pump efficiently. Over time, this can strain the heart and lead to life-threatening complications. To assess disease severity and predict outcomes, doctors use various tests, including the six-minute walk test (6MWT), which measures how far a patient can walk in six minutes. However, this test has limitations, particularly for younger or less severely affected patients.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) is the most accurate way to assess heart function in PH and can provide valuable insights into disease progression. However, it is not yet routinely included in risk assessments. Other walking tests, such as the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) and a newer measure called cardiac effort (CE), may offer improved methods for evaluating patients. The ISWT gradually increases walking speed, making it a more comprehensive test, while CE adjusts for individual effort, providing a more tailored assessment.
This study will examine the relationship between these walking tests and heart function in patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). Participants will complete the walking tests and undergo CMR scans at the Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit. Researchers will analyse how well each test reflects heart function and overall disease severity.
The findings will help refine risk assessment models, potentially leading to more accurate and non-invasive ways to monitor PH. This could improve patient care by guiding treatment decisions and identifying high-risk individuals more effectively.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NE/0128
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion