Evaluation of Novel Lung Function Parameters in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Little is known about affection of small airways in patients with pulmonary hypertension as well as the ideal diagnostic approach. The investigators therefore aimed to evaluate novel or not widely used lung function tests for the evaluation of airway function in patients with PH.

Official Title
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Evaluation of Novel Lung Function Parameters in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)

Conditions
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Pulmonary Hypertension

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: body plethysmography
* Diagnostic Test: impulse oscillometry
* Diagnostic Test: multiple breath washout


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: known or first diagnosis of PH Exclusion Criteria: inability to perform lung function testing unable or unwilling to participate

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 99 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| PH patients<br>Patients with known or first diagnosis of PH | Diagnostic Test: body plethysmography<br>* measurement of conventional lung function parameters<br>Diagnostic Test: impulse oscillometry<br>* measurement of central and peripheral airway resistance<br>Diagnostic Test: multiple breath washout<br>* measurement of ventilation heterogeneity<br>|
| healthy controls<br>Healthy controls had normal lung function testing including whole-body plethysmography and transfer factor, no previously diagnosed pulmonary disease as well as no respiratory symptoms. | Diagnostic Test: body plethysmography<br>* measurement of conventional lung function parameters<br>Diagnostic Test: impulse oscillometry<br>* measurement of central and peripheral airway resistance<br>Diagnostic Test: multiple breath washout<br>* measurement of ventilation heterogeneity<br>|
| non-healthy controls<br>Non-healthy controls were allowed to have stable pulmonary comorbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sarcoidosis, asthma, or fibrosis as well as non-pulmonary comorbidities. | Diagnostic Test: body plethysmography<br>* measurement of conventional lung function parameters<br>Diagnostic Test: impulse oscillometry<br>* measurement of central and peripheral airway resistance<br>Diagnostic Test: multiple breath washout<br>* measurement of ventilation heterogeneity<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LCI | between-group difference in lung clearance index (LCI) | 30 minutes | 
| D5-20 | between-group difference in frequency dependence of resistance (D5-20) | 30 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Discrimination small airway resistance | Evaluation of discriminative capability of impulse oscillometry | 30 minutes | 
| Discrimination ventilation heterogeneity | Evaluation of discriminative capability of multiple breath washout | 30 minutes |