Measuring Lung Capillary Recovery After Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how much functional pulmonary capillary surface area FCSA is restored after balloon pulmonary angioplasty BPA in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension CTEPH. CTEPH results from blood clots that become organized into the walls of pulmonary arteries, causing blockage and increased pressure, which may lead to right heart failure. The study evaluates changes in FCSA before and after BPA to better understand the relationship between artery dilation and lung microvascular function. Patients undergoing BPA will have measurements taken before and after the procedure using a technique that tracks metabolism of an injected tracer peptide 3H-benzoyl Phe-Ala-Pro passing through lung circulation. BPA mechanically opens narrowed pulmonary arteries to improve blood flow. The study includes routine hemodynamic monitoring with arterial and pulmonary artery catheters, along with injections of the tracer to assess FCSA changes. Each participant acts as their own control with measurements taken pre- and post-BPA. Participants will be monitored with systemic and pulmonary artery catheters to measure heart and lung blood flow and pressure before and after BPA. Blood samples will be collected to analyze tracer metabolism. The main outcome is the change in pulmonary functional capillary surface area within four hours after BPA. The study plans to include up to 40 patients and will assess how reopening arteries affects lung microvascular function and pulmonary pressure.

Functional Pulmonary Capillary Surface Area in BPA for CTEPH