What is this study trying to find out about COPD?

This study aims to understand how the right side of the heart behaves during rest and exercise in people with COPD. Researchers want to identify patterns of heart dysfunction that could help improve future treatments. It is sponsored by the University of Colorado, Denver.

Who may be eligible for this COPD clinical trial?

Adults aged 40 years and older diagnosed with COPD may be eligible. The study accepts all genders but excludes those with recent COPD flare-ups, high oxygen needs at rest, or certain heart conditions. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this COPD clinical trial?

Study-related care, including testing and exercise sessions, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel and other expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 40Years +

All Genders

ID05896579

Studying Right Heart Function at Rest and During Exercise in Adults with COPD Aged 40 and Older

Led by University of Colorado, Denver · Updated on 2026-05-08

Participants Needed

Research Sites

13 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying heart function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD to better understand how the right side of the heart responds during rest and different levels of exercise. This study focuses on identifying patterns of right ventricular dysfunction, which may help guide improved treatments for COPD patients in the future. Participants will undergo testing while resting and during moderate- and high-intensity exercise. After a brief warmup, they will perform about 5 minutes of moderate exercise followed by roughly 2 minutes of high-intensity exercise. These activities help identify how the right ventricle of the heart responds under different conditions. During the study, heart function will be measured using transthoracic echocardiography and, in some cases, conductance catheter techniques. Researchers will also assess participants quality of life through questionnaires, measure maximum oxygen consumption, analyze blood samples for specific compounds, and monitor physical activity over a week. Each assessment session lasts up to 1 hour, with physical activity tracked for 7 days. The study is sponsored by the University of Colorado, Denver, and participation involves these tests and monitoring to understand heart response in COPD.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Phenotyping Resting and Exertional Right Ventricular Dysfunction Among Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Who Can Participate

Age: 40Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Diagnosis of COPD confirmed by a forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity ratio less than 0.7
Age 40 years or older

You will not qualify if you...

COPD exacerbation within 3 months before enrollment
Change in COPD therapy within 3 weeks before enrollment
Need for more than 6 liters per minute supplemental oxygen at rest
Need for more than 10 liters per minute supplemental oxygen with exertion
Active or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease such as hypertension with blood pressure above 150/100 despite medication, coronary artery disease with angina, left ventricular ejection fraction 40% or less, arrhythmia, or moderate to severe valvular abnormalities
Volume overload signs like jugular vein distension or peripheral edema
World Health Organization Functional Class IV
Known pulmonary hypertension with mean pulmonary artery pressure over 45 mmHg
Untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea or obesity hypoventilation syndrome
Active cancer except skin cancer
Medical conditions limiting exercise on an upright stationary bicycle (e.g., severe osteoarthritis, balance problems)
Pregnancy
Body mass index less than 18 or greater than 40
Hematocrit less than 25% or greater than 55%
For invasive CPET, chronic anticoagulation that cannot be stopped for the study
For invasive CPET, forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than 20%

Research Team

Lindsay Forbes, MD

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