Right Ventricular Metabolism in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension



Status:Enrolling by invitation
Conditions:Healthy Studies, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Therapuetic Areas:Cardiology / Vascular Diseases, Other
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:8/18/2018
Start Date:June 2014
End Date:June 2019

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Metabolic Intervention in the Right Ventricle in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

The purpose of this study is to use non-invasive imaging to determine the metabolic phenotype
of the right ventricle in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension across a spectrum of
disease severity.

Current medical therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is aimed at reducing
pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) but not ameliorating right ventricular (RV) failure, the
major cause of death. There are no RV-specific therapies currently available for PAH, in part
because the pathophysiology of RV failure is poorly understood.

The investigators hypothesize that the RV in PAH develops a distinct metabolic pattern
characterized by increased glycolysis, impaired oxidative metabolism and lipid deposition,
which are associated with RV failure.

Specific Aim 1. To test the hypothesis that the RV in human PAH exhibits lipid deposition,
increased glycolysis and impaired fatty acid oxidation. The investigators will measure RV
oxidative metabolism and glycolysis in PAH patients and controls using positron emission
tomography 11C acetate and [18F]fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose imaging and measure myocardial lipid
accumulation using magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging.

Specific Aim 2. To test the hypothesis that an abnormal RV metabolic profile is associated
with RV dysfunction and reduced exercise capacity in PAH. PET and MRS findings will be
correlated with RV function, patient exercise capacity and a blood metabolic profile.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Heritable or idiopathic PAH

- 18 years or older

- Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnancy

- Type 1 diabetes mellitus

- Prednisone use

- PAH associated with any condition other than idiopathic or heritable

- Implanted ferromagnetic material incompatible with MRI
We found this trial at
1
site
1211 Medical Center Dr
Nashville, Tennessee 37232
(615) 322-5000
Principal Investigator: Evan Brittain, MD, MSCI
Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a comprehensive healthcare facility dedicated...
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from
Nashville, TN
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