Conditions: Obesity
Keywords: Pulmonary Hypertension BMI Echocardiography CPET 6-minute walk test Cardio Metabolic disease
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 21
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
This study will investigate if metformin can help people with obesity and high pressures inside their lung blood vessels. Metformin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat diabetes, but metformin is not approved by the FDA to treat pulmonary hypertension.

This study will examine whether Metformin will improve the high pressure inside lung blood vessels in people who are obese. The study will help understand the effect of metformin on pressures inside lung blood vessels.

Detailed description:
Obesity can predispose people to develop high pressures inside their lung blood vessels, a condition called pulmonary hypertension, Pulmonary hypertension in turn, can lead to shortness of breath and other health complications such as heart failure. In this study, we seek to identify individuals at risk for the development of high pressures inside lung vessels based on BMI and dyspnea grade 1.

Participants will be screened by echocardiography to estimate pulmonary pressures. Potential participants will undergo invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing with hemodynamic monitoring, in order to identify individuals with abnormal pulmonary vascular function either at rest or during exercise. Patients who have undergone clinically-indicated cardiopulmonary exercise testing and meet inclusion/exclusion criteria will also be recruited. Those with abnormal pulmonary vascular function will be randomized to receive Metformin or placebo for a total of 3 months under an IND exemption. The primary outcomes include the effect on pulmonary vascular function at rest and during exercise. Secondary outcomes include change in pulmonary artery endothelial cell phenotypes.

Arms:
arm 1: Metformin: 500mg twice daily for 1 week, followed by 1g twice daily for a total of 3 months. arm 2: Placebo: 500 mgh twice daily for 1 week, followed by 1g twice daily for a total of 3 months.

Interventions: intervention 1: Metformin intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: One capsule by mouth twice a day, followed by an increase to two capsules by mouth twice a day for a total of 3 months intervention 2: One capsule by mouth twice a day, followed by an increase to two capsules by mouth twice a day for a total of 3 months

Protocol document:
ICF_002.pdf: 
 
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary 
Hypertension 
 
NCT03349775 
 
Document Version 8/14/2020 
 



































Prot_000.pdf: 
 
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary 
Hypertension 
 
NCT03349775 
 
Document Version 8/14/2020 
 


 
1 
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL 
DETAILED PROTOCOL 
 
CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASE AND PULMONARY HYPERTENSION 
 
PI: Jennifer E. Ho, MD 
 
 
 
Detailed Protocol Version: 08/14/2020 
 
 
 


 
2 
1. BACKGROUND 
 
Obesity and cardiovascular disease 
 
Obesity and metabolic disease confer substantial risk of cardiovascular disease. More than one in 
three adults and nearly one in six youth in the United States are obese.1 Obesity and metabolic disease 
such as diabetes mellitus are closely linked,2 and both confer substantial cardiovascular morbidity and 
mortality, including increased risk of heart failure.3-5 While weight loss is central to treating obesity, 
understanding specific mechanisms driving obesity-related heart failure may help target future 
prevention strategies.  
 
Obesity, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Cardiometabolic disease has been linked to 
heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which frequently coexists with pulmonary 
hypertension (PH).2,6,7 Both intrinsic and post-capillary PH strongly predict mortality in HFpEF.3-5,7-9 
Unfortunately, treatment with pulmonary-specific vasodilators has shown mixed results in heart 
failure,10-12 highlighting the need for a better understanding of drivers of pulmonary vascular 
remodeling. Notably, in a recent HFpEF-PH animal model, early but not late metabolic interventions 
reversed PH.13 This suggests that prevention strategies targeted at metabolic derangements may be 
effective in obesity-related PH as an early HFpEF phenotype.  
 
The link between obesity, metabolic disease, and PH 
 
Obesity and metabolic disease are associated with PH in humans. In population-based studies, 
obesity is associated with higher estimated pulmonary artery pressures (PAP)14,15 and right ventricular 
remodeling16 in the absence of left ventricular dysfunction, and independent of obstructive sleep 
apnea.17 Among individuals without known cardiovascular disease, every 10 mmHg increase in PAP is 
associated with a more than doubling of mortality risk,18 underscoring the clinical importance of 
understanding obesity-related PH.  
 
Metabolic disease in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Interestingly, insulin resistance and diabetes 
mellitus are over-represented in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where they 
portend worse outcomes.19-21 Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies of human PAH lung tissue, 
cultured pulmonary endothelial cells, and experimental models of PAH demonstrate widespread 
metabolic dysfunction, including alterations in glucose metabolism, glycolysis, and fatty acid 
oxidation,22-24 substantiating the link between metabolic dysregulation and pulmonary vascular 
remodeling.25    
 
Obesity-related PH is multi-factorial. PH associated with obesity can be pre- or post-capillary in 
origin, with contributions from left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction,15,26,27 and lung disease 
including obstructive sleep apnea.28-30 Our preliminary findings suggest that PH in metabolic disease is 
in large part due to increases in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).31 This suggests that intrinsic 
pulmonary vascular dysfunction is an important component of obesity-related PH. No study has 
examined the association of insulin resistance and PH, with ascertainment of directly measured pre- and 
post-capillary components leading to PH. 
 
Metabolic dysfunction leads to intrinsic PH in experimental studies. Mouse models of various 
genetic backgrounds develop adiposity, insulin resistance, and PH when subjected to a high-fat diet.32-34 
This occurs without changes in left ventricular end-diastolic pressures, indicating intrinsic PH. Notably, 
PH in animal models can be reversed by therapeutically targeting obesity-related pathways, including 


 
3 
inflammation (fatty acid nitroalkenes)34 peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ; 
rosiglitazone),33 and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK; metformin).35 
Adipokines may also serve as a potential link between obesity and PH.36-39 These findings suggest that 
metabolic disease may lead to intrinsic PH. 
 
Metabolic disease leads to endothelial dysfunction, which in turn may contribute to PH. 
 
Insulin resistance leads to endothelial dysfunction and impaired nitric oxide signaling. In addition 
to well-recognized effects on glucose homeostasis, insulin has many important vascular actions.40 Under 
physiological conditions, insulin activates the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway to mediate 
endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and vasodilation.41-44 In insulin resistant 
states, the PI3K pathway is selectively impaired, leading to endothelial dysfunction.45 Endothelial 
defects in PI3K/Akt signaling and reduced nitric oxide bioavailability are evident in animal models of 
insulin resistance46-48 and human diabetes,49,50 where endothelial dysfunction contributes to 
cardiometabolic risk.46,51-53 
 
Pulmonary artery endothelial dysfunction is central to pulmonary vascular remodeling. Pulmonary 
artery endothelial cells (PAECs) play an integral role in the pathobiology of PH.54,55 PAECs mediate 
pulmonary vascular remodeling via disordered proliferation and abnormal production of vasoactive 
peptides, including increases in endothelin-1, and reduced production of vasodilators including nitric 
oxide and prostacyclin.56,57   
 
Metabolic disease leads to PAEC dysfunction in animal models. In rats with streptozotocin-induced 
diabetes, PH is linked to PAEC dysfunction, characterized by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, 
enhanced superoxide production, and recruitment of inflammatory macrophages.58,59 Whether PAECs 
are altered in metabolic dysfunction has not been studied in humans. We are poised to study whether 
insulin resistance leads to pulmonary vascular dysfunction in obesity, using a novel technique to isolate 
fresh human PAECs at the time of right heart catheterization (RHC). Specifically, we will translate 
recent work in animal models to human disease, and hypothesize that altered PAEC phenotypes 
contribute to pulmonary vascular dysfunction. 
 
Dynamic exercise unmasks abnormal pulmonary vascular hemodynamics 
 
Exercise can unmask abnormal pulmonary vascular physiology in cardiopulmonary disease. A 
major cause of morbidity in heart failure is impaired functional capacity, which can occur in the absence 
of clinical hypervolemia. Invasive exercise hemodynamic testing can expose abnormal physiology that 
may not be apparent at rest, including pulmonary vascular dysfunction.60,61 The ability of the pulmonary 
vasculature to accommodate increased flow during exercise can be evaluated by plotting the change in 
mean PAP against cardiac output (ΔmPAP/ΔCO).62-64 An exaggerated increase in exercise PAP portends 
worse functional capacity and prognosis in heart failure, valvular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary 
disease, and PAH.65-69   
 
Pulmonary hemodynamic responses to exercise predict clinical outcomes. Previous 
cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) studies have established the normal range of ΔmPAP/ΔCO 
relationships between 0.5-3.0 mmHg/L/min, with a steeper slope indicating abnormal exercise 
response.62-64,70 In addition to predicting adverse prognosis in disease states,65-69 a steep ΔmPAP/ΔCO 
slope >3.3 mmHg/L/min predicts the future development of PH in patients with connective tissue 
disease,71 suggesting that exercise-induced pulmonary vascular dysfunction may indeed represent an 
early phenotype of pulmonary vascular disease. 


 
4 
 
Endothelial and pulmonary vascular responses to metformin 
 
Metformin improves endothelial function via effects on AMPK. Metformin is a first-line oral 
biguanide used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. Metformin ameliorates 
insulin sensitivity,72 and improves circulating endothelial markers and endothelial dysfunction in 
metabolic syndrome and diabetes.73-75 In cultured human endothelial cells subjected to metabolic 
stressors, metformin increases eNOS expression and phosphorylation at serine1177 (p-eNOS) via AMPK 
activation (p-AMPK) and phosphorylation of Akt.76-79 Metformin also blunts stress-inducible kinases,77 
and modulates endothelial oxidative stress.76,80  
 
Metformin improves PH in animal models. In a rat model of obesity-associated PH and HFpEF, 
metformin reduced PAP and vascular remodeling by activating skeletal muscle sirtuin-3 and AMPK.13 
Similar PAP effects were seen in a monocrotaline PH rat model, where metformin resulted in a more 
than 6-fold increase in p-eNOS.81 In PAECs isolated from a sheep model of PH, metformin restored 
bioavailability of NO via AMPK activation.35 We hypothesize that insulin resistance leads to PAEC 
dysfunction and PH, which can be modulated by metformin. We will translate experimental findings to a 
proof-of-concept patient-oriented intervention trial to investigate the effect of metformin versus placebo 
on pulmonary vascular dysfunction in obesity. This study may provide important insights into 
mechanisms driving PH in metabolic disease, and will lay the foundation for future studies focused on 
disease prevention and optimal therapies in obesity-related PH. 
 
Venous endothelial cells show increased expression of pro-inflammatory proteins in obesity. In 
addition to PAEC, we will examine venous endothelial cells to ascertain inflammation that may be 
variably present in different vascular beds. Various investigators have described methods for safe 
collection of venous endothelial cells (EC) from introducer wires used for insertion of venous catheters, 
82,83 and previously endothelial protein expression has been ascertained in order to phenotype venous 
endothelial cells in various disease states. 83,84  
 
Rationale for proposed research 
 
In sum, strengths of prior studies include consistency of obesity-related pathways associated with PH 
across various animal models. Prior human studies support an association of obesity and PH with the 
following limitations: 1) PAP were estimated non-invasively, limiting assessment of PH subtype (pre- vs 
post-capillary), 2) studies were observational, precluding causal inferences about underlying 
mechanisms, 3) potential confounders including existing pulmonary disease were incompletely 
characterized. We plan to address these knowledge gaps by performing direct hemodynamic evaluations 
at rest and in response to exercise, by conducting a randomized trial evaluating the effect of metformin 
on pulmonary vascular function, and by carefully assessing pre-existing pulmonary disease and other 
potential confounders.  
 
 
 
 


 
5 
2. STUDY SPECIFIC AIMS 
 
We postulate that obesity-related metabolic disease leads to pulmonary vascular dysfunction. Our 
laboratory has established specific expertise in measurement of both resting and serial exercise PAP to 
carefully characterize pulmonary vascular function and early forms of PH. In addition, we have 
developed a novel protocol to isolate and phenotype fresh human pulmonary artery endothelial cells 
(PAECs) to examine specific molecular mechanisms underlying PAEC dysfunction and cellular 
responses to metabolic interventions. 
 
We propose to prospectively study 250 obese non-diabetic individuals with exertional dyspnea in the 
absence of known cardiovascular disease, in order to test the following primary hypotheses:  
 
1) Systemic metabolic dysfunction and PAEC-specific insulin responses are associated with PH  
2) Insulin resistant individuals will have exaggerated increases in PAP in response to dynamic exercise  
3) Metformin will improve pulmonary vascular dysfunction and PAEC phenotype in obese individuals  
 
Aim 1. To investigate the association of metabolic disease and PAEC phenotypes with pulmonary 
hemodynamics in human subjects. We will assess insulin resistance and pulmonary hemodynamics 
via invasive hemodynamic assessment in those with abnormal noninvasive assessment. Human PAECs 
will be isolated to examine cellular responses to insulin stimulation including AMPK activation and 
eNOS phosphorylation. We will relate PAEC and metabolic phenotypes to resting pulmonary 
hemodynamics. 
 
Aim 2. To study the dynamic pulmonary vascular response to exercise in metabolic disease. 
Participants will undergo invasive cycle ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise testing with simultaneous 
hemodynamic monitoring. Multi-point PAP-cardiac output relationships and pre- and post-capillary 
components of PAP will be defined to precisely characterize pulmonary vascular function. We will 
relate systemic and PAEC-specific insulin resistance to dynamic PAP responses to exercise. 
 
Aim 3. To examine the effect of metformin on pulmonary vascular function and PAEC phenotype 
in obese individuals. We will conduct a randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded intervention 
trial, randomizing 75 individuals exhibiting resting or exercise pulmonary vascular dysfunction in Aims 
1 and 2 to metformin versus matching placebo for 3 months. We will compare baseline and post-
intervention pulmonary vascular hemodynamics and PAEC phenotypes between metformin and placebo 
groups. 
 
 
 


 
6 
3. SUBJECT SELECTION AND ENROLLMENT CRITERIA 
 
Subject Selection: The proposed studies will involve prospectively enrolling 250 overweight or obese 
adults age 30-80 years with dyspnea and without known diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease. The 
study design involves nested samples, whereby participants enrolled in Aim 1 are screened for eligibility 
for Aim 2, and those enrolled in Aim 2 are screened for eligibility in Aim 3. Thus, one study participant 
may participate in all three aims, streamlining the recruitment and enrollment process. It will also 
provide the opportunity to study the same individual both in response to exercise (Aim 2) and then in 
response to a metabolic intervention (Aim 3). Inclusion/exclusion criteria for each Aim, and 
corresponding justifications are listed in Table 1.  
 
Table 1. Inclusion/exclusion criteria 
Criteria 
Justification 
Aim 1:  
• Adult age 30-80 years 
• Obesity or overweight (history of BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 
current BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 for study volunteers; BMI ≥ 
25 kg/m2 for those with clinically indicated CPET or 
known HFpEF)  
• Dyspnea (grade ≥1 by modified Medical Research 
Council scale) 
• Able to provide informed consent and willing to 
comply with study 
• Without known primary pulmonary arterial 
hypertension or cardiovascular diseases except known 
HFpEF (previous myocardial infarction within the last 
year, mod/sev valvular disease) 
• Without other comorbidities: moderate to severe 
COPD, moderate to severe interstitial lung disease, 
untreated obstructive sleep apnea and planning to start 
treatment during study, renal (eGFR < 45 
ml/min/1.73m2), liver disease (cirrhosis), anemia 
(Hemoglobin < 9 g/dL) 
• Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant in next 4 
months 
• INR < 1.5, platelets > 75,000 
• Normal LVEF ≥ 50% on echo 
• No significant valvular disease on echo  
• Without diabetes mellitus and not taking metformin 
(for volunteers only) 
• Without history of: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) 
and V/Q scan moderate or high probability, 
splenectomy, blood clots in the lung, active cancer 
(other than skin cancer) 
• Without known HIV infection 
• Population of interest  
• Focus on obesity-related metabolic disease 
 
 
 
• Enrich sample for pulmonary vascular 
dysfunction 
• Assure voluntary and informed 
participation 
• Focus on preclinical disease 
 
 
 
• Exclude other causes of dyspnea 
 
 
 
 
 
• Invasive CPET contraindicated 
 
• Safety measures for procedures  
• Exclude LV systolic dysfunction 
• Exclude other causes of dyspnea 
• Metformin or other therapies indicated 
 
• Conditions predispose to Chronic 
Thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension 
(CTEPH) 
 
• Predisposed to pulmonary arterial 
hypertension 
 
 


 
7 
Aim 2 (all criteria under Aim 1, PLUS below) 
• Abnormal echo (PASP >40mmHg on echo) OR 
clinically-indicated RHC or CPET for dyspnea, 
referred by primary clinician 
• Without contraindications to CPET (acute MI, 
unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmias, active 
endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis, severe aortic 
stenosis, acute pulmonary embolism or DVT, 
suspected dissecting aneurysm, uncontrolled asthma or 
pulmonary edema, room air desaturation < 85%, acute 
non-cardiopulmonary disorder that may affect exercise 
performance, mental impairment and inability to 
cooperate 
• Condition of interest 
 
 
• Safety measures for CPET procedure 
Aim 3 (all criteria under Aim 1 and 2, PLUS below) 
• Abnormal pulmonary vascular function (resting or 
exercise) 
• Not taking metformin, and without clinical indications 
for metformin 
• Without liver dysfunction (transaminases > 2 x upper 
limit) or cirrhosis 
• Without kidney dysfunction (GFR <45 
ml/min/1.73m2) 
• Not lactating, pregnant, or planning to become 
pregnant 
 
• No known allergy to metformin 
• Not taking acetazolamide, cimetidine, topiramate, 
sulfonylurea, insulin 
• No isolated primary pulmonary arterial hypertension 
(mPAP > 20mmHg, PCWP < 15mmHg, and PVR > 3 
wu in the absence of LVH, diastolic dysfunction, or 
LAE on echocardiogram 
• Condition of interest 
 
• Enable randomization to metformin vs 
placebo 
• Contraindication to metformin 
 
• Contraindication to metformin 
• Limited information regarding safety of 
metformin 
• Contraindication to metformin 
• Avoid concurrent use of metformin 
 
• Other therapies indicated 
 
 
Source of subjects and recruitment methods:  
• Potential participants for the proposed study will be identified via two strategies: (1) Participants 
being referred for clinically indicated RHC or invasive CPET testing with hemodynamic monitoring 
in the setting of dyspnea by their primary physicians, and (2) Study volunteers recruited specifically 
to take part in this study 
• For study volunteers, potential participants will be self-identified through research volunteer 
programs in place at MGH (weekly "Research Studies" e-mails sent to all email accounts at MGH, 
the Research Study Volunteer Program, a registry with >10,000 volunteers, the Partners clinical 
trials website (rally.partners.org), Researchmatch, a registry with >100,000). Self-identified potential 
volunteers may also contact study staff directly by email or phone. Study contact information can be 
found through MGH’s research volunteer programs as well as on ClinicalTrials.gov. Other potential 
participants include past research volunteers who have agreed to be contacted by study staff about 
studies related to cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Upon contacting the study staff, the potential 
participant will receive a complete explanation of the protocol procedures by telephone. During that 


 
8 
initial phone conversation, the potential participant will be screened for inclusion and exclusion 
criteria.  
• Potential subjects meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria will be identified by review of electronic 
medical records for patients scheduled for appointments in the Catheterization or CPET laboratory, 
General Cardiology, General Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension, Nutrition, and Weight Center 
clinics, as well as for patients admitted on in-patient floors at Massachusetts General Hospital. A 
formal presentation to clinic staff will be given by Dr. Jennifer Ho and the study team once IRB 
approval is obtained, in order to inform providers about the study. Flyers and study information will 
be available to participants and providers in the clinic. The study team will also use Epic as a pre-
screening tool to identify potential participants. 
• To obtain the patient’s permission to be contacted by the PI or study staff, one of the two methods 
will be used: (1) With prior permission of the patient's primary physician who has obtained the 
patient’s permission to be contacted by study staff, the patient and any appropriate family members 
and/or significant others will be approached in person or by phone, or (2) a Recruitment letter will be 
sent out containing a letter from the patient’s primary physician and a letter from the investigator. 
The patient will have the option to opt-out. Once interest is expressed, the PI or study staff will 
identify him/herself.  A brief description of the study will be given and the patient asked if they have 
any interest in participation. For those individuals expressing an interest in participating, formal 
consent for the study protocol will proceed either at that time or at a mutually agreed upon time. We 
will also plan to use other methods of recruitment, including posting of approved flyers in MGH 
outpatient clinics, as well as study recruitment advertisements via the Partners e-mail system. 
• We will also use the RPDR or the Biobank Portal to identify eligible patients who are part of the 
Partners Biobank for this study. We may also use identified information from the RPDR or from the 
Electronic Medical Record on consented Biobank subjects to review charts to determine eligibility. 
Participants who are enrolled in the Biobank will have had provided consent per the Partners 
Biobank IRB approved protocol. Once eligibility is confirmed, our study will collaborate with the 
Partners Biobank to contact potential study subjects who have consented for re-contact using a re-
contact letter to be sent from the Biobank staff. The Partners Biobank will send an invitation letter, 
co-signed by the Biobank PI and Dr. Ho, and opt-out card to patients. Ten business days after the 
Biobank sends the re-contact letters to patients, we will call each patient on the list (who did not 
send us the opt-out card) to ask whether they would like to participate in our study.  
• We also plan to use The Research Opportunities Direct To You (RODY) program that allows a 
patient to be contacted directly by researchers without involving their clinician. The patients will be 
identified through RPDR which shows if the patient response was a Rody Yes or Rody No. Rody Yes 
patients will be contacted directly with a recruitment letter signed by the researcher. Rody No 
patients will be contacted through the method described above that includes a letter signed by the 
clinician, a letter signed by the researcher and an opt-out form.  
• Study flyers will be used to recruit potential subjects (see attachment).  
• We will not target special vulnerable populations (fetuses, neonates, pregnant women, children, 
prisoners, institutionalized individuals, or others) as part of this proposal 
 
 
 


 
9 
4. SUBJECT ENROLLMENT 
 
Methods of enrollment and obtaining informed consent 
• Upon contacting the study staff, the potential participant will receive a complete explanation of the 
protocol procedures by telephone or in person.  During that initial conversation, the potential 
participant will be screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria.  Potential participants who wish to 
participate in the study and meet no exclusion criteria will be invited to attend a first screening study 
visit.  
• At the time of the first study visit, the participant already will have had the opportunity to read the 
informed consent and been given the opportunity to ask questions by telephone. At the start of the 
first visit, the informed consent will be reviewed in person with the potential subject by trained study 
staff in a private, comfortable area. A board-licensed study physician (who is a co-investigator in 
this study) will be available if the subjects have any questions regarding the consent. Participants’ 
questions about the protocol will be answered thoroughly, and there will be no time limit to this 
procedure. The consent form clearly states that subjects may end participation at any time without 
prejudice, and this will be emphasized to the subject. In particular, subjects who receive their health 
care at the MGH will be reassured that their decision to decline participation will in no way affect 
their medical treatment.  If the potential participant agrees, a study staff member will obtain written 
consent and the individual will be enrolled into the study. As part of the informed consent, 
participants will be asked whether blood, not used in this analysis, may be stored for future analysis. 
If the participant does not consent to this, samples will be used only for the present study and excess 
samples discarded.  
• At the time of each research visit, participants are debriefed and all questions about the study 
answered. This will include a review of the study aims, protocol, and any additional issues related to 
the study. Participants are also provided contact information if they have questions at any time. 
 
Plan for treatment assignment and randomization 
 
Aims 1 and 2 of the study do not involve allocation to treatment groups.  
 
Aim 3 is a randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded intervention study to examine the effect of 
metformin versus matching placebo on pulmonary vascular function. We anticipate enrolling 75 
participants studied in Aims 1 and 2 who display abnormal pulmonary vascular hemodynamics into Aim 
3. Participants with contraindications to metformin will be excluded as outlined in Table 1.  
 
In order to allocate evenly, without bias, and in a manner blinded to both participants and investigators, 
we will randomize participants to treatment group (metformin versus placebo) with the assistance of the 
investigational drug pharmacy. Randomization will be performed in a 1:1 fashion in groups of 4 to 
assure balanced study groups, and will be stratified by type of pulmonary vascular dysfunction (resting 
or exercise-induced).  


 
10 
5. STUDY PROCEDURES 
 
 
Study visits, procedures, data collection, and testing 
 
Participants will be recruited and enrolled in an ongoing manner until the study goal of 250 participants 
for Aim 1 is reached. We expect 100 (40%) to have high PAP >40mmHg estimated by 
echocardiography based on preliminary data. This group (in addition to individuals referred for 
clinically-indicated RHC or CPET) will undergo invasive CPET testing with hemodynamic monitoring 
and PAEC phenotyping as part of Aim 2. Of this sample, we expect 75 participants will have abnormal 
pulmonary hemodynamics as measured by RHC, given significant correlation between invasive and 
non-invasive measures of PAP (r=0.77).85 These individuals will part-take in Aim 3 of the study. A 
flowsheet of the study schedule is provided in Figure 1, and data collected is outlined in Table 2.   
Because fasting blood work will be obtained at the time of Study Visits 1, 3, and 4, the participant will 
be instructed to fast with no eating or drinking after midnight prior to those visits.  
 
Visit 1 (Screening): At the first study visit, participants will undergo informed consent as outlined 
above.  Information on age, gender, and race/ethnicity will be obtained.  A medical history will be 
obtained by study staff, which includes information on current and past medical issues, medications, and 
allergies to past medications in order to identify possible study contraindications. Dyspnea will be 
assessed using the modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC).86,87 Seated blood pressure and 
pulse will be checked. Anthropometric measures will be taken: weight and height will be measured in 
order to calculate BMI, and waist circumference will be measured. Fasting blood work will be obtained, 
including glucose, insulin, lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c, and C-reactive protein. We will collect up to 
100 ml of blood for these measurements and storage of samples for future use. Participants will also 
undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG), optional standard 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 
optional 6-minute walk test (6MW), transthoracic echocardiography, and collection of venous 
endothelial cells as detailed below:  
ECG: A standard 12-lead electrocardiogram will be performed.  
2-hour OGTT (optional): A blood glucose (BG) measurement will be checked in order to assure safety 
in proceeding with an OGTT, and a pre-OGTT value of > 200mg/dL is listed as a clear stopping rule for 
the protocol. If there is no contraindication, the participant will receive a 75g oral glucose load and 
begin an OGTT. An IV will be inserted and levels of insulin and glucose will be measured at 0, 30, and 
120 minutes following the OGTT. For the OGTT samples, 40cc of blood is needed.  
Venous endothelial cell collection: The venous endothelial cell collection occurs during Study Visit 1, 
during which participants already undergo IV placement as part of the oral glucose tolerance test, as 
well as during Study Visit 4. After IV insertion using sterile technique, a standard guide wire (J-wire) is 
inserted into the vein through the IV and then removed and processed, with collection of up to 4 wires. 
A vast array of wires of introducer wires are approved by the FDA and are used clinically for the 
insertion of central and peripheral catheters into veins and are designed to be atraumatic. With respect to 
safety, insertion of the J wire once the IV has been placed is painless. It is associated with possible 
bleeding or bruising associated with placement of the IV, and a potential risk of thrombophlebitis. The 
technique has been applied safely over 2,000 times in Dr. Hamburg's laboratory without reported 
adverse effects, and MGH co-investigators have undergone formal training in her laboratory.83,84 Only 
sterile IV sites will be used for this procedure. The de-identified coded specimen is transferred to the 


 
11 
laboratory of Dr. Hamburg (co-investigator), where the wire is carefully washed and cells are collected 
for analysis. No immortalized cell lines will be established from the harvested cells.    
 
6MWT (optional): We will perform standardized 6MW testing according to published guidelines.88 We 
will record oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and heart rate at the start of the test, and assess dyspnea 
(as measured with the modified Borg dyspnea scale) at the start and end of the 6MW test. Established 
reference ranges will be used to evaluate 6MW distance relative to age and sex.89  
 
Transthoracic echocardiography: Comprehensive 2D and Doppler echocardiography will be 
undertaken using the Vivid IQ ultrasound machine (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI). All images will be 
obtained by a trained research echocardiographer according to a standard protocol. Images will be 
obtained in digital format and analyzed according to protocol by the research staff. Standard assessment 
of right and left ventricular dimensions (RV, LV), systolic, and diastolic function, including tissue 
Doppler will be performed.90,91 In the absence of pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary artery systolic pressure 
(PASP) will be estimated using two methods: a) Pulsed wave Doppler interrogation of the pulmonary 
valve annulus and measurement of pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT); PASP will be estimated 
from PAAT.92,93 The intraobserver CV for PAAT is 5.9% in our laboratory. b) Doppler interrogation of 
tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity, with estimation of PASP as 4v2 + right atrial pressure.91 In order to 
enhance tricuspid Doppler signals, ultrasound contrast may be used.  
 
Participants meeting exclusion criteria based on Visit 1 (screening) will be notified, and study staff will 
explain why they are excluded from the study. Study staff will offer to speak with the primary care 
physician, if the potential participant requests, regarding medical reasons for exclusion. If appropriate 
inclusion/exclusion criteria for Aim 2 are met, including dyspnea ≥ grade 1 on the mMRC scale and 
abnormal PASP >40mmHg by echo), the subject will be scheduled for a second visit.   
Visit 2 (Study procedures): At the second visit, any updates on medical history will be ascertained. 
Seated blood pressure and heart rate will be checked. Blood work will be obtained, and we will collect 
up to 150 ml of blood for these measurements and storage of samples for future use. Study volunteers 
who have not previously undergone clinically-indicated CPET testing will then undergo right heart 
catheterization (RHC), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), radionuclide ventriculography, with 
collection of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) for research purposes as detailed below. For 
interested participants who have previously completed clinical CPET testing, Visit 1 and 2 will be 
combined, and clinical CPET testing results will be reviewed without the need to repeat the Visit 2 
CPET. For interested participants who previously underwent right heart catheterization (RHC), Visit 1 
and 2 may be combined without the Visit 2 CPET. The following criteria must be met to justify RHC 
and CPET for research purposes:  
A. Participants must be symptomatic with evidence of ≥ grade 1 dyspnea based on the modified 
Medical Research Council scale  
B. Participants with the most common treatable causes of chronic dyspnea are excluded from our study, 
as explicitly outlined in our exclusion criteria (existing diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension, 
severe COPD or asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease or liver disease, anemia). 
C. Participants with otherwise unexplained dyspnea then undergo comprehensive transthoracic 
echocardiography in order to assess estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressures. Based on this 
noninvasive testing, participants who have pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥ 40mmHg and who 
otherwise have no contraindications to RHC and CPET then qualify for this testing in our protocol. 
This approach is in line with the standard of care and is supported by the American College of 
Cardiology/ American Heart Association 2009 Expert Consensus Document on Pulmonary 
Hypertension, which states that based on echocardiography, an estimated “pressure of greater than 


 
12 
40mmHg generally warrants further evaluation in the patient with unexplained dyspnea” 
(McLaughlin VV et al, Circulation, 2009).  
 
Invasive CPET with hemodynamic monitoring using right heart catheterization: Participants with 
dyspnea and (1) clinically-indicated RHC or CPET based on referral by primary physician, or (2) 
abnormal PASP by screening echo and other criteria outlined above will be taken to the cardiac 
catheterization laboratory. Under sterile conditions, a pulmonary artery catheter will be placed using 
standard procedures and fluoroscopic guidance. In brief, topical lidocaine will be used to numb up the 
site of entry. A high-fidelity 7F balloon-tipped catheter is then inserted in the internal jugular vein under 
sterile conditions using ultrasound guidance. The catheter is then advanced into the right atrium, right 
ventricle (through the tricuspid valve), and pulmonary artery (through the pulmonary valve) into wedge 
position, guided by pressure tracings as well as fluoroscopic guidance. It will be used to measure resting 
right atrial, right ventricular, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (RA, RV, PA, 
PCWP). Fick cardiac output (CO), cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, and pulmonary vascular 
resistance will be calculated. Pulmonary hypertension will be defined as resting mean PA pressure 
>20mmHg.94,107 Resting hemodynamics will be obtained. The participant will then be transferred to the 
MGH CPET Laboratory (next door to the cardiac catheterization laboratory) for the exercise portion. 
Resting spirometry, blood pressure, 12-lead electrocardiogram, gas exchange, and heart rate will be 
measured. Participants will then undergo maximum incremental upright cycle ergometry at 5 to 15 
W/min continuous ramp after an initial 3 minute period of unloaded exercise.65 Hemodynamic 
measurements will be made (Table 2), and data analyzed in BreezeSuite (MedGraphics, St. Paul, MN). 
In brief, right atrial, PA, and PCWP will be measured in the upright position at end-expiration while 
seated at rest on the bicycle, and repeated at 1-minute intervals during exercise. Fick CO will be 
measured using standard technique, and peak oxygen uptake (VO2) will be defined as the highest VO2, 
averaged over 30s during the last minute of symptom-limited exercise.95 We have safely performed over 
1,000 tests without significant adverse events. Objective established criteria for CPET termination 
include ischemic electrocardiographic changes, complex arrhythmias, symptomatic fall in systolic blood 
pressure > 20mmHg, marked hypertension (> 240/120 mmHg), and severe desaturation < 80%. 
First-pass radionuclide ventriculography: As part of the invasive CPET, first-pass radionuclide 
ventriculography will be performed in the CPET laboratory in order to assess biventricular function at 
rest and during stress. A peripheral IV will be placed, and a radionuclide tracer (sodium pertechnetate 
Tc-99m and Tc-99m pyrophosphate) will be administered to the participant to label red blood cells. This 
is a radiopharmaceutical that has been approved for use in our CPET laboratory (permit #15-044). A 
multicrystal camera will be used to detect technetium-labeled red blood cells in a region of interest 
placed over either the left or right ventricle to assess resting and exercise ejection fraction.  
PAEC collection: We have adapted a novel protocol to isolate fresh human PAECs after routine RHC 
from the discarded catheter tip. In brief, PAEC collection does not entail modifications to standard 
clinical RHC procedures. The protocol involves saving the catheter tip after routine removal at the end 
of the standard RHC/CPET procedure before it is discarded into the biohazard waste. The tip is then 
processed in media to isolate PAEC. Therefore, there are no added risks beyond the RHC/CPET 
procedure. The protocol was adapted from protocols used by Dr. Michael Passineau (consultant; Pollet 
JB et al, J Heart Lung Transplant, 2013; Benza RL et al, Pulm Circ, 2016; Lenna S et al, Am J Respir 
Crit Care Med (Abstract), 2016). After the catheter is removed from the participant as per usual 
procedures, the last 2 inches of the Swan-Ganz catheter including the balloon are cut and collected in 
culture medium. The collected specimen will be labeled using a coded study identification number, and 
transferred to the Vascular Clinical Research Unit at Boston University, where the specimen will be 
further processed. Specifically, endothelial cells are recovered by centrifugation in a dissociation buffer 


 
13 
as described previously.96,97 PAECs plated on microscope slides coated with poly-L-lysine, similar to 
isolation of peripheral endothelial cells,50 and either fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde or insulin/metformin 
stimulation is performed. 
 
Metformin or placebo administration: The participant will then receive, at random, either metformin 
or placebo in a 1:1 blinded fashion. Randomization will be stratified by type of PH (resting vs exercise-
induced) and will be performed in blocks of 4 to assure balanced group sizes. Because we wish to ensure 
equal gender representation into the treatment and placebo groups, randomization will be done 
separately for men and women. Participants will be given 500mg capsules of metformin or matching 
placebo and instructed to take 500mg twice daily for 1 week, followed by 1g twice daily for a total of 3 
months. Participants may receive study medication by mail or at study visits. We will exclude 
individuals with contraindications to metformin use as outlined in the exclusion criteria, and participants 
will be monitored for clinical symptoms of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia. Medication compliance 
will be assessed with pill counts. The proposed use of metformin is IND-exempt. 
 
Visit 3 (Interim): The third study visit will take place at MGH or remotely, approximately 2-4 weeks 
after initiation of metformin or placebo. An interim medical history will be taken by study staff in 
person or by telephone to assure that no contraindications to study participation or potential side effects 
have developed. Seated blood pressure and pulse may be obtained, and weight may be measured. 
Fasting blood work will be obtained at MGH or a local lab. We may collect up to 100 ml of blood for 
these measurements and storage of samples for future use.  
 
Visit 4 (Interim): The fourth study visit will take place approximately 7-12 weeks after initiation of 
metformin or placebo. An interim medical history will be taken to assure that no contraindications to 
study participation or potential side effects have developed. Seated blood pressure, pulse, and 
anthropometrics will be obtained. Fasting blood work will be obtained. We will collect up to 100 ml of 
blood for these measurements and storage of samples for future use. Participants will undergo venous 
endothelial cell collection as outlined previously, as well as an electrocardiogram (ECG). 
 
Visit 5 (Final measures): At the fifth study visit approximately 3 months (± 2 weeks) after initiation of 
metformin or placebo, final measures will be obtained. Seated blood pressure and pulse will be obtained. 
Blood work will be obtained. We will collect up to 150 ml of blood for these measurements and storage 
of samples for future use. Participants will then undergo invasive CPET with hemodynamic monitoring 
and PAEC cell collection as outlined previously. In order to minimize participant burden, repeat 
invasive CPET testing may be conducted without invasive arterial monitoring or first-pass radionuclide 
ventriculography.   
 
Study staff members are available for questions at any time throughout the study, and contact numbers 
are provided to the subject. At the end of each study visit, participants will be given the opportunity to 
ask any questions regarding the study.   
 
Research subjects who complete the study will be compensated for their time and efforts, according to 
each visit completed as follows: Visit 1 $50, Visit 2 $150, Visit 3 $50, Visit 4 $50, Visit 5 $250. If the 
subject withdraws from the study, they will receive payment for the visits that were completed. Subjects 
will be paid upon completion of each visit. We will also provide parking vouchers for study visits.  
Additional Visits: If a visit involving invasive CPET (Visit 2 or Visit 5) is scheduled more than 30 days 
after Visit 1 or Visit 4, respectively, then research subjects may be asked to attend an additional visit 


 
14 
prior to CPET in order to obtain pre-requisite labs and electrocardiogram guided by cath lab safety 
protocols. Subjects will be compensated $50 and a parking voucher for each such additional visit. 
 
Research subjects may be asked to complete a COVID test (e.g. nasopharyngeal swab) prior to 
procedures, such as the CPET. This follows institutional guidelines to ensure the safety of hospital staff 
and patients. Required pre-procedure COVID testing will be paid for by the study fund. Subjects will be 
compensated $20 per COVID test. 
 
 
Drugs to be used 
 
A total of 75 subjects will be randomized to 3-months of metformin or matching placebo. Participants 
will be given 500mg capsules of metformin or matching placebo and instructed to take 500mg twice 
daily for 1 week, followed by 1g twice daily for a total of 3 months. Metformin is widely used in the 
treatment of insulin resistance found in diabetes mellitus, and meta-analyses have shown metformin to 
be safe for use in heart failure,98 and in the absence of hyperglycemia.99 We will exclude individuals 
with contraindications to metformin use (Table 1), and participants will be monitored for clinical 
symptoms of lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia. Medication compliance will be assessed with pill counts. 
The proposed use of metformin is IND-exempt. 
 
Repository activities 
 
As part of the informed consent, participants will be asked whether blood, not used in this analysis, may 
be stored for future analysis. If the participant does not consent to this, samples will be used only for the 
present study and excess samples discarded. All samples will be processed immediately and stored at -
80oC for future analysis. Samples will be labeled with study identification numbers only – no other 
identifiable information will be attached to the samples. Samples will be stored in a locked freezer in a 
private space, and only co-investigators will have access. Such samples could be used to measure the 
effects of metformin on circulating markers of endothelial function, or other blood markers related to the 
causes of cardiovascular disease, depending on the findings of the study. No immortalized cell lines will 
be created from the harvested cells.  
 
Table 2. Data to be collected (see attached CRFs) 
 
Type 
Variable 
Description 
Study Visit 
Demogr
aphic 
Age 
Sex 
Race 
Ethnicity 
 
1 
1 
1 
1 
Exam 
Height 
Weight 
BP 
HR 
Waist 
 
 
Blood pressure 
Heart rate 
Waist circumference 
1, 4 
1, 3*, 4 
1, 2, 3*, 4, 5 
1, 2, 3*, 4, 5 
1, 4 
History 
 
Medical history as outlined in CRF 
1 
ECG 
 
12-lead electrocardiogram 
1, 4 
Lab 
CMP 
CBC 
Lipids 
CRP 
Comprehensive metabolic panel 
Complete blood count without differential 
Fasting lipid panel 
C-reactive protein 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 
1, 4 
1 
1, 4 


 
15 
NT-proBNP 
INR 
Adiponectin 
Blood HCG 
Glucose 
Insulin 
Blood gas 
A1c 
Lactic acid 
N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide 
International normalized ratio (blood coagulation) 
Total adiponectin concentrations 
Blood pregnancy test (women only) 
 
 
Oximetry during CPET 
Hemoglobin A1c 
1, 4 
1, 4 
1, 4 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 
1, 4 
1, 4 
2, 5 
1, 5 
3 
Echo 
LVEF 
LVDD 
LVSD 
LAD 
LVWT 
RWT 
FS 
LVM 
E 
A 
DT 
E' 
PAAT 
TR jet 
Simpson's modified biplane LV ejection fraction 
LV end-diastolic dimension 
LV end-systolic dimension 
Left atrial end-systolic diameter 
LV wall thickness = posterior + septal wall thickness 
Relative wall thickness = LVWT/LVDD 
Fractional shortening = [(LVDD–LVSD)/LVDD] x 
100 
LV mass = 0.8 [1.04 ((LVDD+LVWT)3–
(LVDD)3)]+0.6.(1)   
Early mitral inflow velocity on Doppler 
Late mitral inflow velocity on Doppler 
Deceleration time of early mitral inflow on Doppler 
Early mitral annular velocity on tissue Doppler 
Pulmonary artery acceleration time 
Tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
CPET 
RA 
RV 
PA 
PCWP 
CO_TD 
CO_Fick 
Right atrial pressure 
Right ventricular pressure 
Pulmonary arterial pressure 
Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 
Cardiac output – thermodilution 
Cardiac output – Fick 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
 
RER 
VO2 
VCO2 
VT 
Work  
VE 
Vitals 
RVEF 
LVEF 
Respiratory exchange ratio  
Oxygen uptake 
Carbon dioxide output 
Ventilatory threshold 
Work load (watts) 
Minute ventilation 
Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation during 
exercise 
RV function rest and exercise  
LV function rest and exercise 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2, 5 
2 
2 
 
 
 
 
* optional 
 
 


 
16 
6. BIOSTATISTICAL ANALYSIS  
 
Aim 1: To investigate the association of metabolic disease and PAEC phenotypes with pulmonary 
hemodynamics in human subjects. 
 
Hypotheses: Peripheral insulin resistance is associated with abnormal resting pulmonary 
hemodynamics. PAEC phenotype correlates with pulmonary vascular dysfunction in obese individuals.  
 
Analysis plan for Aim 1: We will examine the association of insulin resistance (estimated by HOMA-
IR100) and pulmonary vascular hemodynamics (mean PAP and PVR by RHC) using the Pearson or 
Spearman correlation coefficient. Multivariable linear regression models will adjust first for age, sex, 
body mass index as potential confounders, and then for hypertension and smoking status. If scatter plots 
suggest a non-linear relationship, we will consider regression models assuming a flexible mean function 
such as polynomial, exponential or spline functions. We will evaluate the association of PAEC insulin 
signaling (insulin-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation) and pulmonary hemodynamics using linear 
regression. Specifically, we will examine the association of % change in the ratio of p-eNOS to total 
eNOS in response to insulin with mean PAP and PVR. A two-sided P-value <0.05 will be considered 
statistically significant for primary analyses.  
  
Statistical power for Aim 1: In previous studies, the range of HOMA-IR among non-diabetic obese 
individuals was broad, with a median and inter-quartile range of 2.7 mg*lU/dL*mL (1.9-4.8), allowing 
adequate power to study associations with pulmonary vascular hemodynamics. In our preliminary CPET 
study, we observed a correlation coefficient of R=0.34, P<0.0001 between PASP and waist 
circumference (a clinical surrogate of insulin resistance101). Assuming a sample size of 100 and two-
sided alpha of 0.05, we have at least 80% power to detect a correlation of R≥0.28 between HOMA-IR 
and mean PAP (and PVR) by RHC. Further, the difference in PASP among obese individuals with and 
without MetS was 10mmHg in preliminary analyses. We would have 80% power to detect a ≥6mmHg 
difference in a two-group comparison of participants above and below the median HOMA-IR, assuming 
a two-sided alpha of 0.05 and a sample size of 100. With the same alpha and sample size, we would 
have at least 80% power to detect a correlation of R≥0.28 between PAEC insulin response and mean 
PAP (and PVR) by RHC.  
 
Aim 2: To study the dynamic pulmonary vascular response to exercise in metabolic disease. 
 
Hypotheses: Metabolic dysfunction is associated with abnormal pulmonary vascular hemodynamic 
response. PAEC phenotype correlates with exercise PAP in obese individuals 
 
Analysis plan for Aim 2: We will relate HOMA-IR to ΔmPAP/ΔCO with exercise. We will test for 
normality of the distribution of HOMA-IR using QQ plots and the Shapiro-Wilk test. If skewed in 
distribution, HOMA-IR will be log-transformed. We will use random effects in linear regression models 
to allow repeated measures and account for multiple time points of mPAP and CO for a given individual 
during exercise, with HOMA-IR (or PAEC p-eNOS response) as the independent and ΔmPAP/ΔCO 
slope as the dependent variable. We will relate PAEC insulin signaling to PAP response to exercise. We 
will use a random effects model with % change in the ratio of p-eNOS to total eNOS in response to 
insulin as the independent, and ΔmPAP/ΔCO as the dependent variable. All analyses will be adjusted for 
age, sex, and body-mass index, and additionally adjusted for resting blood pressure and smoking status.  
 
Statistical power for Aim 2: In preliminary analyses, the ΔmPAP/ΔCO slope in diabetics versus non-
diabetics was 3.4±1.3 mmHg/L compared with 2.6±1.3 mmHg/L. Assuming a sample size of 100 


 
17 
participants and a two-sided alpha of 0.05, we would have 86% power to detect a similar difference in 
ΔmPAP/ΔCO slope among individuals above and below the median HOMA-IR. We would have at least 
80% power to detect a correlation of R=0.28 or greater between PAEC insulin response (% increase in 
p-eNOS) and the ΔmPAP/ΔCO slope. 
 
Aim 3: To examine the effect of metformin on pulmonary vascular function and PAEC phenotype in 
obese individuals. 
 
Hypotheses: Metformin will improve pulmonary vascular hemodynamics compared with placebo. 
Metformin will improve insulin signaling in human PAECs compared with placebo. 
 
Statistical analyses for Aim 3: We will compare the change in ΔmPAP/ΔCO slope in the metformin vs 
placebo groups. The "delta" in slope will be defined as the 3-month minus the baseline value. We will 
apply a two-sample t-test to compare the delta in the two groups in an unadjusted intention-to-treat 
analysis. An adjusted analysis will be performed using a multivariable random effects linear regression 
model adjusted for baseline ΔmPAP/ΔCO, such that [delta ΔmPAP/ΔCO] = intercept + β1*treatment 
group + β2*ΔmPAP/ΔCObaseline, with treatment group and ΔmPAP/ΔCObaseline as fixed effects and 
treatment group modeled as a random effect. Given that the randomization will be stratified by type of 
pulmonary vascular dysfunction (resting versus exercise-induced), we will use a 'strata' statement to 
indicate PH type in the model. We anticipate that metformin will improve PAEC insulin resistance (% 
change in the ratio of p-eNOS to total eNOS) and also pulmonary hemodynamics. In secondary 
analyses, we will examine the correlation between PAEC and venous endothelial cell insulin resistance 
among treatment groups.  
 
Statistical power for Aim 3: We will power the study for the between-group comparison (metformin vs 
placebo) of the delta in ΔmPAP/ΔCO (3 month – baseline). In 15 prior patients with repeat testing 
within 12 weeks, the reproducibility of ΔmPAP/ΔCO was robust, with an intra-individual CV of 0.92, 
and a standard deviation (SD) of the delta (12-week minus baseline) of 0.46. We will assume a similar 
SD in this study. In our experience with intervention studies, attrition from non-compliance is ~15%. 
With a target enrollment of 75 participants and 15% loss to follow-up, we would have 64 participants 
completing the study. In preliminary studies, the difference in ΔmPAP/ΔCO slope among diabetics and 
non-diabetics was 0.7mmHg/L. We estimate >80% power to detect up to 50% of the difference in 
ΔmPAP/ΔCO between diabetics vs nondiabetics (0.35mmHg/L) among the treatment groups using a 
two-sided t-test with 5% type I error.  
 
 
 
 
 


 
18 
7. RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS 
 
Procedures 
 
Phlebotomy and IV placement: In order to minimize the risks of phlebotomy, participants will be 
asked about previous difficulty with phlebotomy (particularly pre-syncope or syncope) and appropriate 
measures will be taken, as needed. During venipuncture, the participant will be in a sitting position. At 
each study visit, no more than 150 cc of blood is taken, and in total over the course of the study, no more 
than 450 cc (2 cups) of blood will be obtained. This is within the Red Cross guidelines (less than 500 cc 
every 2 months). Risks of phlebotomy include anemia, and the amount of blood collected will be 
reduced if the investigator feels there is a significant risk of anemia. Other risks include discomfort, 
bleeding or bruising where the needle enters the skin, and rarely, fainting or infection may occur.  
 
Protection against risk: The participants will be asked whether they are feeling well during the blood 
draw and throughout the visit. If the participant is not feeling well, the specific discomfort will be 
addressed, and the participant will be referred for evaluation, as needed. If a participant feels light-
headed during the venipuncture or blood draw, the procedure is suspended. The participant will be 
provided with orange juice and observed until the light-headedness resolves. If the participant is willing, 
s/he may continue the protocol once this symptom has resolved. If anemia is identified at any time 
during the study (Hemoglobin, Hb < 9 g/dL), no further blood draws will be conducted until Hb is again 
documented as Hb ≥ 9 g/dL.  
 
6-minute walk test: The 6-minute walk test is a simple and practical non-invasive test to evaluate 
functional capacity. Rarely there may be an increased risk of arrhythmias or cardiovascular collapse. 
However, each participant determines the level and intensity of walking during the test, and it has been 
performed on thousands of older persons and patients with heart failure or cardiomyopathy without 
serious adverse events.88 Participants with absolute contraindications are already excluded from the 
study as outlined in Table 1 (unstable angina, myocardial infarction in previous month). Relative 
contraindications include a resting heart rate > 120 bpm, or uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood 
pressure > 180 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg).88  
 
Protection against risk: Prior to testing, heart rate and blood pressure will be obtained, and testing will 
be deferred if criteria are met and participants referred to their treatment team for follow-up as 
necessary. All study personnel administering the 6-minute walk test will be appropriately trained, and 
will have completed cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Testing will be stopped immediately if the 
participant wishes to do so, or experiences chest pain, intolerable dyspnea, leg cramps, staggering, 
diaphoresis, or pale and ashen appearance. Testing will be performed at MGH hospital with medical 
care immediately available if necessary.   
 
Oral glucose tolerance test: A drawing IV will be placed so that blood draws at three time points can 
be performed with minimal discomfort. Potential risks include nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, 
and constipation.  
 
Protection against risk: A blood glucose (BG) measurement will be checked in order to assure safety in 
proceeding to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and a pre-OGTT value of > 200mg/dL will 
preclude OGTT administration.  
 


 
19 
Venous endothelial cell collection: Insertion of the J wire once the IV has been placed is painless and is 
associated with possible bleeding or bruising associated with placement of the IV, and a potential risk of 
thrombophlebitis.  
 
Protection against risk: This technique has been performed safely over 2,000 times in Dr. Hamburg's 
laboratory without reported adverse effects, and MGH co-investigators have undergone formal training 
in her laboratory. A vast array of J-tipped wires are approved by the FDA and are used clinically for 
insertion of central and peripheral catheters into veins and are designed to be atraumatic. The J wire will 
only be inserted using sterile IV sites.   
 
Transthoracic echocardiography: Transthoracic echocardiography will be performed according to 
standard medical practice, and is associated with minimal discomfort or risk to study participants. Rarely 
there is minor transient discomfort during echocardiography due to the pressure of the ultrasound probe 
against the chest or abdominal wall. In order to better visualize tricuspid Doppler signal, microbubble 
contrast may be used to permit more accurate determination of right heart hemodynamics (Mulvagh SL 
et al, American Society of Echocardiography Consensus Statement on the Clinical Applications of 
Ultrasonic Contrast Agents in Echocardiography, J Am Soc Echocardiogr, 2008;21:1179).  
 
Protection against risk: If discomfort occurs, the probe will be adjusted, and the study stopped at the 
participant's request. Microbubble contrast agents are FDA approved for use in echocardiography. These 
agents are safe without medically significant risks other than rare allergic events at a rate of 
approximately 1 per 10,000. In order to avoid this potential risk, echo contrast administration will be 
contraindicated and avoided in patients with known hypersensitivity to perflutren. Echo contrast will be 
administered by a licensed and trained cardiac sonographer.  
 
Invasive CPET with hemodynamic monitoring and right heart catheterization: The risks of placing 
a right heart catheter include bleeding and bruising at the site where the catheter is inserted and 
pneumothorax. Other rare complications may include ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac tamponade, air 
embolism, infection, and pulmonary artery rupture. Specifically in patients with pulmonary 
hypertension, right heart catheterization is associated with low morbidity. Of 7,218 right heart catheter 
procedures performed in patients with pulmonary hypertension as reviewed in one study, 1% had serious 
adverse events, most frequently related to venous access (hematoma, pneumothorax), and the vast 
majority of these complications were of mild to moderate intensity with resolution spontaneously or 
after appropriate intervention.102 Incremental ramp CPET has been shown to be a very safe procedure. 
Unlike the Bruce Protocol that contains sharp increments in workload in a stepwise fashion, the CPET 
starts off with minimal work rate (i.e. unloaded exercise) and very gradually ramps up, providing a 
warm-up period for individuals performing exercise. This protocol design optimizes subject comfort and 
safety.103 CPET testing rarely can precipitate coronary ischemia, arrhythmias, and/or hemodynamic 
instability. A recently published report on the safety of CPET examined results from over 5000 tests 
performed on individuals with known coronary artery disease (n=1787, 35%), heart failure (n=1289, 
25%), congenital heart disease (n=688, 14%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=598, 12%), pulmonary 
hypertension (n=194, 4%), aortic stenosis (n=212), and previous cardiac arrest (n=60, 1%).104 Despite 
the high-risk features of this population, there were no mortalities at the time of testing or during a 
period of 48 hours thereafter. A total of 8 adverse events (0.16% event rate) occurred, most commonly 
sustained ventricular tachycardia (n=6) which self-terminated without intervention in all 6 cases. There 
was one myocardial infarction in a post-heart transplant patient with allograft coronary artery disease. A 
second relevant study evaluated 2037 patients who performed 4401 CPETs in the HF-ACTION Trial 
(Heart Failure: A Controlled Trial investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training).105 There were no 
deaths, and a rate of non-fatal major cardiovascular events of <0.5 per 1000 tests. A third relevant study 


 
20 
to this proposal examined the records of 38,970 patients who underwent standard maximum level 
exercise testing in a community clinic (mean age 54±12 years, 68% male).106 The main reason for 
referral was chest pain evaluation (59%). None of the patients died during testing, and despite 14% of 
the study population having detectable ischemia (n=5450). Finally, in the personal experience of the co-
investigator Dr. Lewis as Director of the MGH CPET Laboratory at MGH there have been no deaths or 
hospital admissions related to CPET despite performing over 400 studies per year in patients who often 
have advanced heart and lung diseases.  
 
Protection against risk: We are recruiting participants from two sources: (1) patients who are referred for 
clinically indicated RHC and CPET by other physicians. In such cases, RHC and CPET are being 
performed for clinical reasons regardless of our research study; (2) study volunteers that undergo 
rigorous screening procedures prior to RHC and CPET in order to justify testing for pure research 
purposes. To assure a reasonable balance in risk versus benefit ratio among the latter group, we will 
perform studies on individuals who have dyspnea and abnormal estimated PASP (defined as >40mmHg) 
based on noninvasive imaging, where testing has been deemed reasonable as outlined by expert clinical 
consensus.94 Right heart catheterization procedures will be performed at the MGH cardiac 
catheterization laboratory by licensed and board-certified interventional cardiologists. All safety 
protocols in place will be followed. Prior to the procedure, we will verify that the participant is at low 
bleeding risk by checking a complete blood count and coagulation profile. Only individuals with INR 
<1.5 and platelet counts > 75,000 will be eligible for right heart catheterization (see inclusion/exclusion 
criteria). In addition, we will perform pregnancy testing in women of child-bearing age and exclude 
anybody with a positive test. After verifying informed consent, a procedure time-out will be performed. 
Usual sterile technique will be used, and ultrasound guidance and fluoroscopy will be used to place the 
pulmonary artery catheter to minimize risks of the procedure. The participant will be monitored 
continuously with blood pressure, heart rate, and telemetry. In order to minimize the risk to the 
participant during CPET testing, physician supervision will be mandated for all exercise assessments. 
Participants with contraindications to exercise testing will be excluded (Table 1). The laboratory will 
have resuscitation equipment and Advanced Cardiac Life Support-trained physicians and exercise 
technicians. Ratings of perceived exertion and dyspnea will be monitored during testing, as will heart 
rate, blood pressure, and continuous electrocardiographic tracings and test will be terminated by the test 
operator per standard exercise testing guidelines (i.e. a >10mmHg fall in blood pressure, ventricular 
tachycardia). 
 
First-pass radionuclide ventriculography: This test is performed in the CPET laboratory, and involves 
intravenous administration of a radionuclide tracer to label red blood cells, risks are summarized under 
"Radiation" in the section below.  
 
Protection against risk: This is a radiopharmaceutical that has been approved for use in our CPET 
laboratory (permit #15-044), and staff have been trained in safe handling of the radionuclide tracer. 
Pregnant or nursing participants are excluded from our protocol. A serum pregnancy test will be checked 
on Study Visits 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in women of child-bearing potential (unless already performed for 
clinically-indicated purposes, in which case clinical protocols will be followed).  
 
Pulmonary artery endothelial cell collection: The isolation of endothelial cells will be performed on 
the discarded pulmonary arterial catheter tip after completion of the right heart catheterization, therefore 
no additional risk beyond that of the routine right heart catheterization procedure is anticipated. 
 
 
 


 
21 
Drug side effects and toxicities 
 
Metformin administration: This drug has been on the market for several decades and is considered 
first line therapy for diabetes mellitus type 2. Moreover, it has been used extensively in non-
hyperglycemic patients with polycystic ovarian disease. Additional studies of the safety of metformin in 
heart failure have been published. The pertinent risk of metformin is development of lactic acidosis. 
This risk has been reported primarily in patients with abnormal renal or hepatic function, thus we have 
chosen to exclude these populations from the study. Additional concerns include hypoglycemia, though 
this is a rare risk for this drug, particularly in the absence of other hypoglycemic medications (an 
exclusion criterion for our study), and gastrointestinal distress. Patients will be educated on the signs and 
symptoms of hypoglycemia and advised to contact study staff immediately if any arise. We will monitor 
patients by telephone 1 week after metformin initiation, and an interim visit will be conducted 2-4 weeks 
after metformin initiation, at which point labs will be drawn to evaluate kidney function, glucose, and 
lactic acid levels. If patients report significant gastrointestinal effects, metformin will not be increased as 
would otherwise occur in the protocol. If symptoms persist further, the dose will be dropped by 500 mg 
daily to the highest tolerated dose.  
 
The most common adverse reactions experienced are:  
• >10% of patients: diarrhea (instant release tablet: 12% to 53%; extended release tablet: 10% to 
17%), nausea/vomiting (instant release tablet: 7% to 26%; extended release tablet: 7% to 9%), 
flatulence (12%), Weakness (9%).  
• 1% to 10%: chest discomfort, flushing, palpitation, headache (6%), chills, dizziness, 
lightheadedness, rash, hypoglycemia, Indigestion (7%), abdominal discomfort (6%), abdominal 
distention, abnormal stools, constipation, dyspepsia/ heartburn, taste disorder, myalgia, dyspnea, 
upper respiratory tract infection, decreased vitamin B12 levels (7%), increased diaphoresis, flu-
like syndrome, nail disorder.  
• <1% (Limited to important or life-threatening): lactic acidosis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, 
megaloblastic anemia, pneumonitis. Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious side effect due to 
metformin accumulation. When lactic acidosis occurs it is fatal in approximately 50% of cases. 
Symptoms include malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, increasing somnolence, and 
nonspecific abdominal distress. 
 
Contraindications to the use of metformin are: hypersensitivity to metformin or any component of the 
formulation; renal disease or renal dysfunction (serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL in males or ≥1.4 mg/dL in 
females) or abnormal creatinine clearance from any cause, including shock, acute myocardial infarction, 
or septicemia; acute or chronic metabolic acidosis with or without coma (including diabetic 
ketoacidosis). A boxed warning has been issued for metformin related to the risk of developing lactic 
acidosis. The risk is increased in patients with acute congestive heart failure, dehydration, excessive 
alcohol intake, hepatic or renal impairment, or sepsis. All of these conditions are exclusion criteria for 
our study.  
 
Protection against risk: Conditions that increase the risk of lactic acidosis on metformin treatment are all 
exclusion criteria for this study. We will monitor patients by telephone 1 week after metformin 
initiation, and an interim visit will be conducted 2-4 weeks after metformin initiation, at which point 
labs will be drawn to evaluate kidney function, glucose, and lactic acid levels. In addition, metformin 
therapy will be discontinued prior to or at the time of intravascular administration of iodinated contrast 
media (potential for acute alteration in renal function) should a subject require contrast during the course 
of this study. Metformin will be withheld for 48 hours after the radiologic study and restarted only after 
renal function has been confirmed as normal. Patients will be encouraged to delay any elective 


 
22 
radiologic studies requiring iodinated contrast until the conclusion of the study. Criteria for patient 
removal will be: symptomatic hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis. The PI will monitor potential side 
effects, and the study can be discontinued at any time at the subject’s request. If the independent safety 
officer determines that symptomatic lactic acidosis occurs and is attributable to study drug in one patient 
the study will be stopped altogether. Patients with symptomatic hypoglycemia unresponsive to dose 
reduction may withdraw. Inability to tolerate metformin or hypersensitivity to drug will trigger 
withdrawal. Development of renal dysfunction that would preclude enrollment will require withdrawal. 
Patients who require additional anti-diabetic drugs prior to study completion will continue to be 
enrolled. Furthermore, the independent safety officer has the ability to stop the study for safety concerns. 
Any patient who voluntarily withdraws or withdraws because of an aforementioned adverse event will 
be requested to allow us to continue to accrue clinical data for analysis, if possible. Participants will be 
monitored for any of the above side effects as outlined above, and will be encouraged to contact the 
study staff with any interim symptoms. A board certified medical internist (the PI) is available by pager 
and telephone at all times, if he/she is not physically present, during the study. 
 
Potential psycho/social risks  
 
Confidentiality: There is a potential risk of breach of confidentiality. All subject records will be 
handled as confidentially as possible within the law. Records will be coded and kept in a locked office 
of the research team. Copies of the signed consent form will be kept by the research team and the 
subjects. Check requests with SS# will be maintained in locked file cabinets in the PI's locked research 
office. Study data and samples will be labeled with coded number (study number and subject ID 
number) and kept in a separate location from the source documents and linking code. No individual 
identities will be used in any reports or publications resulting from this investigation. The Investigators 
and all key personnel involved in this study will complete a tutorial on the responsible conduct of human 
subject research such as the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative. This tutorial reviews federal 
regulations governing human subjects research commonly known as Good Clinical Practices 
 
Radiation risks 
 
Radiation will be used per protocol as is done for clinically-indicated right heart catheterization. Doses 
reflect approximately 2 millisieverts (mSv) and 8 months from natural background. This will be 
performed at the MGH cardiac catheterization laboratory by licensed and board-certified interventional 
cardiologists. All policies and procedures governing the cardiac catheterization laboratory as outlined by 
the Radiation Safety Committee will be followed.  
 
Radionuclide ventriculography will involve the following doses of sodium pertechnate: 1mCi for patient 
positioning, 10 mCi for rest image, and 20 mCi for the stress image. The estimated total body adsorbed 
radiation dose is 3.2 mGy/740 MBq (0.32 rads/20 mCi). This reflects up to 4.7 millisieverts (mSv) and 
16 months from natural background. This will be performed at the MGH CPET laboratory, lincensed to 
perform first pass radionuclide imaging (permit #15-044) with licensed personnel. 
 
Incidental findings 
 
For participants who undergo screening or study visits and are newly discovered to have medically 
treatable causes of dyspnea, study investigators will report to the participants and/or primary physicians 
to seek further appropriate medical care. Specific findings that will prompt further action are outlined in 
the table below:  


 
23 
    
 
8. POTENTIAL BENEFITS 
 
Potential benefits to participating individuals 
 
No direct benefit to the study participant is expected. The participant may benefit by knowing that the 
results of the study will enhance our understanding of obesity, insulin resistance, and pulmonary 
hypertension in humans.  
Potential benefits to society 
 
Society benefits from research advances in understanding the effect of obesity and insulin resistance on 
pulmonary hypertension as a precursor to heart failure. Because there are minimal and manageable risks 
to the participants in this study, the risk versus benefit ratio is low. 
9. DATA SAFETY AND MONITORING PLAN 
 
Safety monitoring, evaluating of AEs and SAEs 
 
Monitoring of the study data, including AEs and SAEs will be performed by the investigators of the 
study. In addition, independent monitoring of study data will be performed by an external Data Safety 
Monitoring Board (DSMB), with a primary focus on scientific integrity and participant safety. The 
DSMB will be comprised of 4 experts in the field who are not directly involved with the design and 
conduct of the study. This includes the following individuals:  
 
Cause of 
dyspnea 
Further treatment 
Anemia 
If severe anemia is identified (defined as hemoglobin < 9 g/dL), study blood 
draws will be deferred until anemia is improved. The participant and primary 
provider will be notified and follow-up labs/work-up recommended prior to 
continuation in our study. 
LV systolic 
dysfunction  
If LV systolic dysfunction (defined as LV ejection fraction < 45%) is 
identified, the participant will be excluded from our study. Further, the 
participant and primary provider will be notified and further work-up and 
potential initiation of therapy for cardiomyopathy recommended.  
Valve 
disease 
If significant valve disease is identified (defined as moderate or severe MR, MS, 
AR, AS), the participant will be excluded from our study. Further, the 
participant and primary provider will be notified and further diagnostic and 
therapeutic work-up recommended. 
Volume 
overload 
If volume overload is identified (defined as resting PCWP > 25mmHg), no 
CPET testing will be performed, and the participant will be referred to primary 
providers for further care as appropriate, including consideration of diuretics.  
PAH 
If PAH is detected (defined as resting mPAP > 20mmHg, PCWP < 15mmHg, 
and PVR > 3 wu in the absence of LVH, diastolic dysfunction, or LAE on 
echocardiogram), the patient will be excluded from the study, and referred to 
primary providers and/or PH subspecialist for further work-up and care. 


 
24 
• Jane Leopold, MD (Chair, Interventional Cardiologist and Pulmonary Hypertension Expert). 
Leopold is Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an interventional 
cardiologist with expertise in WHO group 1-5 pulmonary hypertension at Brigham and Women's 
Hospital. She also currently serves in a leadership role of NHLBI's PVDOMICS program.  
• James Fang, MD (Heart Failure, Hemodynamics, and Clinical Trials Expert). Dr. Fang is Professor 
of Medicine, University of Utah Health Science Center and a practicing cardiologist with expertise 
in heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. He led an international consensus paper on WHO group 
2 pulmonary hypertension (Fang JC et al. WHO pulmonary hypertension group 2: pulmonary 
hypertension due to left heart disease in the adult. A consensus statement of the PH council of the 
ISHLT. J Heart Lung Transplant, 2012;31:913-33), and currently chairs the DSMB of numerous 
ongoing heart failure intervention trials. 
• James de Lemos, MD (Clinical Trials, Heart Failure, DSMB Expert). Dr. de Lemos is Professor of 
Medicine, University of Utah Health Science Center, and is a cardiologist with longstanding 
expertise in heart failure, clinical trials, and epidemiology, and currently is Medical Director of the 
Dallas Heart Study. He also serves as chair of DSMB committees on both heart failure and diabetes 
trials.  
• Simin Liu, MD, ScD (Biostatistics and Clinical Trial Expert). Dr. Liu is Professor of Epidemiology, 
Brown University School of Public Health. He is a recognized national and international expert in 
biostatistics and epidemiology with a focus on obesity and cardiometabolic disease.  
 
DSMB meetings will occur approximately once every 6 months via conference call and, if needed, more 
frequently to discuss the study protocol, and a written report provided for each meeting. 
Responsibilities, organization, and other details are outlined in the DSMB Charter.   
 
Definitions of AEs and SAEs 
 
Adverse events will be defined as "any untoward or unfavorable medical occurrence in a human 
subject, including any abnormal sign, symptom, or disease, temporally associated with the subject's 
participation in the research, whether or not considered related to the subject's participation in the 
research".  Specifically for this study, this will include the following:  


 
25 
 
Serious adverse events will be defined as "any adverse event that results in death, is life-threatening, 
results in hospitalization, persistent disability, congenital anomaly, or based upon appropriate medical 
judgment, may jeopardize the subject's health and may require medical or surgical intervention to 
prevent one of the other outcomes listed in this definition".  Specifically for this study, this will include 
the following:  
 
Reporting of AEs, SAEs, unanticipated problems 
 
All adverse events will be reported promptly to the investigators and formally entered into an Adverse 
Event log, which will be submitted to the DSMB for review prior to each scheduled meeting once 
approximately every 6 months, and to the IRB at the time of the annual Progress Report. All 
unanticipated problems (unexpected, and related or possibly related to participation in the research, or 
serious) will be reported to the PHRC and DSMB per “PHRC policy” once the investigator learns of the 
incident in accordance with PHRC unanticipated problems reporting guidelines. 
 
 
 
Procedure 
Expected Potential Adverse Event 
Phlebotomy 
Discomfort, bruising, bleeding, lightheadedness, fainting 
6-minute walk test 
Dyspnea, chest pain, leg cramps, diaphoresis.  
Oral glucose tolerance test 
Hyperglycemia, nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and 
constipation.  
Echocardiography 
Discomfort 
Invasive cardiopulmonary 
exercise testing 
Uncommon: Allergic reaction to local anesthetic, pain, bleeding, 
infection, hypo- or hypertension during exercise, fainting during 
exercise, arrhythmia, chest pain 
Rare: injury to the nerve around catheter insertion site, 
pneumothorax, air embolism, blood clot, vascular or myocardial 
perforation, pericardial effusion, myocardial ischemia/infarction, 
sustained arrhythmia or hemodynamic instability. 
Metformin therapy 
Common: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, weakness 
Less common: cardiovascular: chest discomfort, flushing, 
palpitations, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness; 
gastrointestional: indigestion, abdominal discomfort or distention, 
abnormal stools, constipation, dyspepsia/ heartburn, taste disorder; 
respiratory: dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection; general: 
chills, rash, myalgia, hypoglycemia, decreased vitamin B12 levels, 
increased diaphoresis, flu-like syndrome, nail disorder 
Uncommon: lactic acidosis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, 
megaloblastic anemia, pneumonitis, anaphylaxis. 
Procedure 
Expected Potential Serious Adverse Event 
Invasive cardiopulmonary 
exercise testing 
Rare: injury to the nerve around catheter insertion site, 
pneumothorax, air embolism, blood clot, vascular or myocardial 
perforation, pericardial effusion, myocardial ischemia/infarction, 
sustained arrhythmia or hemodynamic instability. 
Metformin therapy 
Uncommon: lactic acidosis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, 
megaloblastic anemia, pneumonitis, anaphylaxis.  


 
26 
Triggers for action and stopping rules  
 
The protocol may be terminated early if the extent (incidence and/or severity) of study-associated 
adverse effects is such that the risk/benefit ratio to participants as a whole is unacceptable. This will be 
assessed throughout the study by the study investigators. In addition, this will be formally evaluated and 
determined by the DSMB via review of all AE's and SAE's.  
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
27 
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Eur Respir J. 2015; 


 
32 
63. 
Lewis GD, Bossone E, Naeije R, Grünig E, Saggar R, Lancellotti P, Ghio S, Varga J, 
Rajagopalan S, Oudiz R, Rubenfire M. Pulmonary vascular hemodynamic response to exercise 
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Argiento P, Vanderpool RR, Mulè M, Russo MG, D'Alto M, Bossone E, Chesler NC, Naeije R. 
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Lewis GD, Murphy RM, Shah RV, Pappagianopoulos PP, Malhotra R, Bloch KD, Systrom DM, 
Semigran MJ. Pulmonary vascular response patterns during exercise in left ventricular systolic 
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Soeki T, Wakatsuki T, Kishi J, Sata M. Prediction of Future Overt Pulmonary Hypertension by 
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Pollin TI, Mather KJ, Perreault L, Barrett-Connor E, Knowler WC, Florez JC, Diabetes 
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Agard C, Rolli-Derkinderen M, Dumas-de-La-Roque E, Rio M, Sagan C, Savineau JP, Loirand 
G, Pacaud P. Protective role of the antidiabetic drug metformin against chronic experimental 
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Colombo PC, Banchs JE, Celaj S, Talreja A, Lachmann J, Malla S, DuBois NB, Ashton AW, 
Latif F, Jorde UP, Ware JA, LeJemtel TH. Endothelial cell activation in patients with 
decompensated heart failure. Circulation. 2005;111:58–62.  
83. 
Tabit CE, Holbrook M, Shenouda SM, Dohadwala MM, Widlansky ME, Frame AA, Kim BH, 
Duess M-A, Kluge MA, Levit A, Keaney JF, Vita JA, Hamburg NM. Effect of sulfasalazine on 
inflammation and endothelial function in patients with established coronary artery disease. 
Vascular medicine (London, England). 2012;17:101–107.  
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Shenouda SM, Widlansky ME, Chen K, Xu G, Holbrook M, Tabit CE, Hamburg NM, Frame 
AA, Caiano TL, Kluge MA, Duess M-A, Levit A, Kim B, Hartman M-L, Joseph L, Shirihai OS, 
Vita JA. Altered mitochondrial dynamics contributes to endothelial dysfunction in diabetes 
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D'Alto M, Romeo E, Argiento P, D'Andrea A, Vanderpool R, Correra A, Bossone E, Sarubbi B, 
Calabrò R, Russo MG, Naeije R. Accuracy and precision of echocardiography versus right heart 
catheterization for the assessment of pulmonary hypertension. Int J Cardiol. 2013;168:4058–
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Medical Research Council scale for the assessment of dyspnea in daily living in obesity: a pilot 
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Enright PL, Sherrill DL. Reference equations for the six-minute walk in healthy adults. Am J 
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Lang RM, Badano LP, Mor-Avi V, Afilalo J, Armstrong A, Ernande L, Flachskampf FA, Foster 
E, Goldstein SA, Kuznetsova T, Lancellotti P, Muraru D, Picard MH, Rietzschel ER, Rudski L, 
Spencer KT, Tsang W, Voigt J-U. Recommendations for cardiac chamber quantification by 
echocardiography in adults: an update from the American Society of Echocardiography and the 
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Louie EK, Schiller NB. Guidelines for the echocardiographic assessment of the right heart in 
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quiz 786–8.  
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McGoon MD, Park MH, Rosenson RS, Rubin LJ, Tapson VF, Varga J, Harrington RA, 
Anderson JL, Bates ER, Bridges CR, Eisenberg MJ, Ferrari VA, Grines CL, Hlatky MA, Jacobs 
AK, Kaul S, Lichtenberg RC, Lindner JR, Moliterno DJ, Mukherjee D, Pohost GM, Rosenson 
RS, Schofield RS, Shubrooks SJ, Stein JH, Tracy CM, Weitz HH, Wesley DJ, ACCF/AHA. 
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Association. 2009. p. 2250–2294. 
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Hoeper MM, Lee SH, Voswinckel R, Palazzini M, Jaïs X, Marinelli A, Barst RJ, Ghofrani HA, 
Jing Z-C, Opitz C, Seyfarth H-J, Halank M, McLaughlin V, Oudiz RJ, Ewert R, Wilkens H, 
Kluge S, Bremer H-C, Baroke E, Rubin LJ. Complications of right heart catheterization 
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Guide to cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adults: a scientific statement from the American 
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Skalski J, Allison TG, Miller TD. The safety of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a 
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Keteyian SJ, Isaac D, Thadani U, Roy BA, Bensimhon DR, McKelvie R, Russell SD, Hellkamp 
AS, Kraus WE, HF-ACTION Investigators. Safety of symptom-limited cardiopulmonary 
exercise testing in patients with chronic heart failure due to severe left ventricular systolic 
dysfunction. Am Heart J. 2009;158:S72–7.  
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Ilia R, Gueron M. Exercise stress testing in a community clinic: experience with 38,970 
patients. Coron Artery Dis. 1997;8:703–704.  
107. 
Simonneau G, Montani D, Celermajer DS, Denton CP, Gatzoulis MA, Krowka M, Williams 
PG, Souza R. Haemodynamic definitions and updated clinical classification of pulmonary 
hypertension. Eur Respir J. 2018;53(1).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
36 
Figure 1 
  
 
 


Amendment: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
July 3, 2017
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
170623 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
6/23/2017
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Name: NIH
____________________________________________________________
IRB Amendment #:
1
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
7/3/2017
Approval Activation Date:
7/3/2017
IRB Expiration Date:
6/13/2018
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
Approves revised Protocol Summary (dated 06/23/2017), Detailed Protocol (dated 06/;23/2017), and CRF Eligibility
form adding conditions to the exclusion criteria that predisposes to a rare condition called Chronic
Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH).
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 07/03/2017
10:57 AM


form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Anne
Disorbo, ADISORBO@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1917.
CC: Giovanna Alessandra Zampierollo, MGH - Medical Services - Cardiac Unit, Research Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 07/03/2017
10:57 AM
2


Amendment: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
October 18, 2017
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
1701005 Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
10/5/2017
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Name: NIH
____________________________________________________________
IRB Amendment #:
2
IRB Review Type:
Full
IRB Approval Date:
10/17/2017
Approval Activation Date:
10/18/2017
IRB Expiration Date:
6/13/2018
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
Approves revised Protocol Summary (dated 10/05/2017), Detailed Protocol (dated 10/05/2017), and Consent Form
(dated 10/11/2017), Telephone Script, CRF Eligibility, CRF Intake Form, CRF Visit 1 (Screen), CRF Visit 3
(Interim), CRF Visit 4 (Final Measures), CRF Visit 2 (CPET), and Non-Intervention Pre-Screening Data
Collection:
 
1. Adding venous endothelial cell collection to the procedures at study visit 1 and 4.  At these visits, an IV will be
placed as part of the approved protocol to perform an oral glucose tolerance test.  A soft J-shaped wire will be
inserted and removed through the IV, in order to collect venous endothelial cells as part of this protocol;
2. Adding first-pass radionuclide ventriculography to the Protocol. This is
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 10/18/2017
08:44 AM


a test that is routinely performed as part of clinical cardiopulmonary exercise
tests (CPET), and is considered standard of care for patients referred for CPET;
3. Clarifying that ECG will be performed at visit 1 of the protocol;
4. Telephone Script, CRF Eligibility, CRF Visit 1 (Screen), CRF Visit 3 (interim), CRF visit 4 (Final Measures),
CRF Visit 2 (CPET), and Non-Intervention Pre-Screening Data Collection forms were revised as by Partners
Human Research Quality Improvement;
5.  Log for Study Drug Phone Calls and Participant Study Medicals Instructions added to the Protocol;
6. Regulatory Binder Consultation Memo (dated 07/24/2017) and Letter from Naomi M. Hamburg, M.D., M.S.,
(dated September 26, 2017) are noted.
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Anne
Disorbo, ADISORBO@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1917.
CC: Giovanna Alessandra Zampierollo- Jaramillo, MGH - Medical Services - Cardiac Unit, Research
Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 10/18/2017
08:44 AM
2


Amendment: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
November 13, 2017
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
171103 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
11/3/2017
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Name: NIH
____________________________________________________________
IRB Amendment #:
4
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
11/13/2017
Approval Activation Date:
11/13/2017
IRB Expiration Date:
6/13/2018
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
The following documents have been reviewed and approved, and supporting documents noted:
 
Protocol Summary (dated 10/18/2017)
Schema
Study Flow
Detailed Protocol (dated 10/17/2017)
MN Consent Form (dated 10/18/2017)
HeH Consent Form (dated 10/18/2017)
Email Blast
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 11/13/2017
15:02 PM


Twitter Posts
Facebook Posts
Study Overview
Demographics
Medical/Psych Hx
MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
Duke Activity Status Index (DASI)
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale (ASRM)
Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)
Well-Being Index (WHO-5)
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
Self Efficacy for Exercise (SEE)
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form
Cardiac Events
Seattle Angina Questionnaire 7 (SAQ-7)
Adverse Event Questions
World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Bipolar Spectrum
Disorder
Fitbit Directions
Patient PI video on study landing page
RISO approval (dated 02/07/2017)
CTO approval (dated 07/13/2017)
Data Linkage Plan
Eureka approval letter
Eureka Security measures
Eureka description
Schedule of assessments
Welcome messages
Fitbit only group messages
MBCT group messages
CBT group messages
Assessment messages
Payment waiver approval (10/02/2017)
DUA with Fitbit
Donation agreement with Fitbit
Fitbit connection directions
Landing page screen shots
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
2
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 11/13/2017
15:02 PM


2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Anne
Disorbo, ADISORBO@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1917.
CC: Giovanna Alessandra Zampierollo- Jaramillo, MGH - Medical Services - Cardiac Unit, Research
Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 11/13/2017
15:02 PM
3


Continuing Review: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
May 3, 2018
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
171103 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
11/3/2017
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Proposal Title: The Association of Metabolic D
Name: NIH
Sponsor Number: 1R01HL134893-01A1
____________________________________________________________
IRB Continuing Review #:
1
IRB Review Type:
Full
IRB Approval Date:
4/25/2018
Approval Activation Date:
5/3/2018
IRB Expiration Date:
4/25/2019
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
The following protocol documents have been approved and supporting documents noted by the IRB:
Schema-01
Grant-R01
DSMB/DMC Report-01
Advertisement (2)
Flyer (1)
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 05/03/2018
12:03 PM


Telephone Script
Questionnaire (1)
Package Insert-Metformin
FDA-Exempt-Letter (IND Information)
Log for study drug phone call
Participant Study medications Instructions
Regulatory Binder Consultation Memo
BMC-NHamburg- Letter
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta M
Figueroa, FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1909.
CC: Giovanna Alessandra Zampierollo- Jaramillo, MGH - Medical Services - Cardiac Unit, Research
Coordinator/Manager
Elizabeth E An Liu, MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 05/03/2018
12:03 PM
2


Amendment: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
May 3, 2018
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
180501 JEH Detailed Protocol_clean
Version Date:
5/1/2018
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Proposal Title: The Association of Metabolic D
Name: NIH
Sponsor Number: 1R01HL134893-01A1
____________________________________________________________
IRB Amendment #:
9
IRB Review Type:
Full
IRB Approval Date:
5/2/2018
Approval Activation Date:
5/3/2018
IRB Expiration Date:
4/25/2019
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
The following has been approved for this amendment:
 1) Echo contrast: addition of contrast during the echocardiogram in order to better visualize right heart
hemodynamics.
2) Exclusion criteria: We have added known HIV infection to our exclusion criteria.
3) Instruments/ Questionnaires: Changes to eligibility form, visit 1, visit 2, visit 3 and visit 4 in order to reflect
more streamlined work-flow during study visits.
 4) Recruitment/ Advertisement: Changes have been made to the Direct to patient recruitment letter and to
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 05/03/2018
12:04 PM


the opt-out letter. The opt-out letter has been fixed based on the error.
5) Dyspnea grade score: Addition of a greater or equal sign to indicate a score greater than one would qualify
for the study.
Protocol Summary version (dated 05/01/2018)
Detailed Protocol 180501JEH version (dated 05/01/2018)
Consent Form version (5/01/2018)
Advertisement (1)
Recruitment Letter (1)
Questionnaire (5)
Removed the Instruments / Questionaires
Removed - Non_Intervention_Pre_Screening-Information
Removed - 170831
Non_Intervention_Pre_Screening_Information Removed - 171103
Non_Intervention_Pre_Screening_Information
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta M
Figueroa, FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1909.
CC: Giovanna Alessandra Zampierollo- Jaramillo, MGH - Medical Services - Cardiac Unit, Research
Coordinator/Manager
Elizabeth E An Liu, MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 05/03/2018
12:04 PM
2


Amendment: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
June 1, 2018
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
180501 JEH Detailed Protocol_clean
Version Date:
5/1/2018
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Proposal Title: The Association of Metabolic D
Name: NIH
Sponsor Number: 1R01HL134893-01A1
____________________________________________________________
IRB Amendment #:
10
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
6/1/2018
Approval Activation Date:
6/1/2018
IRB Expiration Date:
4/25/2019
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
The following has been approved for this amendment:
We are adding approved information from the new Continuing Review to the Partners Clinical Trials website for recruitment
of volunteers.
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 06/01/2018
14:43 PM


which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta M
Figueroa, FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1909.
CC: Giovanna Alessandra Zampierollo- Jaramillo, MGH - Medical Services - Cardiac Unit, Research
Coordinator/Manager
Elizabeth E An Liu, MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 06/01/2018
14:43 PM
2


Amendment: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
July 6, 2018
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
180613 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
7/2/2018
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Proposal Title: The Association of Metabolic D
Name: NIH
Sponsor Number: 5R01HL134893-02
____________________________________________________________
IRB Amendment #:
12
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
7/3/2018
Approval Activation Date:
7/6/2018
IRB Expiration Date:
4/25/2019
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
NOTE TO PI: Please be reminded to re-consent applicable active participants, re: revised study schedule.
The following has been approved for this amendment:
 Increased blood draw volumes for visits with Level 3 CPETs.
 Updated study contact information to reflect change of staff.
 Added an interim visit and updating remuneration.
 Removed of OGTT from the final visit.
 Revised and updated these documents.
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 07/06/2018
10:09 AM


 Protocol summary version (dated 07/02/2018)
 Detailed Protocol version (dated 07/02/2018)
Consent Form (1)
Advertisement (3)
Flyer (1)
Recruitment Letter (1)
PAEC opt-out Letter (1)
Telephone Script
Questionnaire (3)
Participant Study Medications Instructions
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta M
Figueroa, FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1909.
CC: Giovanna Alessandra Zampierollo- Jaramillo, MGH - Medical Services - Cardiac Unit, Research
Coordinator/Manager
Elizabeth E An Liu, MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 07/06/2018
10:09 AM
2


Amendment: Notification of IRB Approval/Activation
Protocol #:    2017P001020/PHS
Date:
July 25, 2018
To:
Jennifer En-Sian Ho, MD
MGH
Medical Services / Cardiac Unit
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension
Version/Number:
180719 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
7/19/2018
Sponsor/Funding Support:
Proposal Title: The Association of Metabolic D
Name: NIH
Sponsor Number: 5R01HL134893-02
____________________________________________________________
IRB Amendment #:
14
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
7/25/2018
Approval Activation Date:
7/25/2018
IRB Expiration Date:
4/25/2019
This project has been reviewed by PHS IRB . During the review of this project, the IRB specifically considered
(i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of subjects; (iii) the procedures for
obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; and (v) the privacy of subjects and
confidentiality of the data.
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, consistent
with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to leave the room during the discussion and vote on
this project except to provide information requested by the IRB.
The following has been approved for this amendment:
-Venous endothelial cell collection will be done during Study Visit 4 instead of Study Visit 5.
 
-Recruitment will allow for study staff to be contacted directly by self-identified potential
volunteers.
 
-When anthropometric measurements will be obtained was clarified.
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
1
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 07/25/2018
16:25 PM


 
 Protocol Summary version dated (07/19/2018)
 180719 JEH Detailed Protocol version date (07/19/2018)
 Consent Form
 Questionnaires (3)
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of the IRB,
which include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment materials, consent
form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior to initiation of the change(s), except
where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate
apparent immediate hazards to subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem.
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to expiration of IRB
approval and a final continuing review submission when the project has been completed.
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in accordance with the IRB’s
policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse events.
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior to initiation of
research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when applicable, documenting informed
consent using the current IRB approved consent form(s)with the IRB-approval stamp in the document
footer.
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and unanticipated problems,
including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others.
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, updating your financial interests in Insight and
for informing all site responsible investigators, co-investigators and any other members of the study staff
identified by you as being responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their
obligation to update their financial interest disclosures in Insight if (a) they have acquired new financial
interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their previously reported financial interests related to the
study have changed.
The IRB has the authority to terminate projects that are not in compliance with these requirements.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta M
Figueroa, FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG, 857-282-1909.
CC:
Elizabeth E An Liu, MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: (857) 282-1900
Fax: (857) 282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee Database 07/25/2018
16:25 PM
2


Partners Human Research Committee
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee System
10/19/2018 12:24
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
October 19, 2018
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-02
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
16
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
10/19/2018
Approval/Activation Date: 10/19/2018
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
Detailed Protocol version dated (09/14/20180 
Protocol Summary version dated (09/14/2018)


Partners Human Research Committee
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee System
10/19/2018 12:24
Consent Form (2)
Advertisement (10)
Flyer (1)
Recruitment Letter (2)
Telephone Script (1)
Letter 
1) The window for Study Visit 4 was broadened to 7-12 weeks from metformin or placebo 
initiation. 2) The maximum age of participants has been increased from 75 to 80 years. The 
minimum BMI of participants has been lowered from 30 to 25 to include overweight 
individuals for those with clinically indicated CPET or known HFpEF. The minimum BMI 
for other study volunteers will remain 30
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to 
expiration of IRB approval and a final continuing review submission when the project 
has been completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS. 


Partners Human Research Committee
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee System
10/19/2018 12:24
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta, Figueroa | Tel: 282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jennifer, Ho, MD, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services, Principal Investigator
Elizabeth, Liu, , MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager


Partners Human Research Committee
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee System
11/19/2018 15:31
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
November 19, 2018
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research Committee
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-02
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
18
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
11/19/2018
Approval/Activation Date: 11/19/2018
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
This amendment is to change the order of "marked" versus "clean" copies of 2 attachments. Clean 
versions for these attachments were resubmitted to supersede the existing and unchanged marked 
versions.


Partners Human Research Committee
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research Committee System
11/19/2018 15:31
Advertisement (1)
Recruitment Letter (1)
Flyer (1)
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of continuing review submissions for re-approval of the project prior to 
expiration of IRB approval and a final continuing review submission when the project 
has been completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS. 
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta, Figueroa | Tel: 282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jennifer, Ho, MD, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services, Principal Investigator
Elizabeth, Liu, , MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
01/29/2019 16:06
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
January 29, 2019
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-02
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
21
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
01/29/2019
Approval/Activation Date: 01/29/2019
IRB Expiration Date:
04/25/2019
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
01/29/2019 16:06
 The exclusion criteria of prior myocardial infarction was modified to specify exclusion of participants   
with acute myocardial infarction within the past year.
Protocol Summary version (dated 01/10/19)
Detailed Protocol
Consent Form
Advertisement (1)
Instrument/Questionnaire (1)
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta, Figueroa | Tel: 282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
01/29/2019 16:06
Jennifer, Ho, MD, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services, Principal Investigator
Elizabeth, Liu, , MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
03/01/2019 09:25
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
March 01, 2019
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-02
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
22
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
03/01/2019
Approval/Activation Date: 03/01/2019
IRB Expiration Date:
04/25/2019
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
03/01/2019 09:25
Revised Detailed Protocol version dated 02/22/19
1) update the Partners clinical trials website to reflect the new name of "Rally" (rally.partners.org)
2) include in-patient populations in medical record review for possible qualifying study volunteers
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta, Figueroa | Tel: 282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jennifer, Ho, MD, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services, Principal Investigator


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
03/01/2019 09:25
Elizabeth, Liu, , MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
04/19/2019 16:01
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
April 19, 2019
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-02
Fund #:
230841
IRB Continuing Review #: 2
IRB Review Type:
Designated
IRB Approval Date:
03/21/2019
Approval Effective Date:
04/19/2019
Approval/Activation Date: 04/19/2019
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2020
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
04/19/2019 16:01
Adverse Event Log
Recruitment Letter
Consent Form 
Protocol Summary, 1/10/2019
Detailed Protocol, 4/5/2019
Instrument/Questionnaires
Advertisement
Package Inserts
Telephone Script
Partners Clinical Trial Posting
Letter than Recruitment
DSMB/DMC Report
IND Information
Schema
Flyer
Participant Study Medications Instructions
Log for study drug phone call
Minor Deviation Log 
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
04/19/2019 16:01
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Elizabeth, Regan | Tel: 282-1897 | Email: 
EREGAN1@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jennifer, Ho, MD, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services, Principal Investigator
Elizabeth, Liu, , MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
05/17/2019 12:11
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
May 17, 2019
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-02
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
23
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
05/16/2019
Approval/Activation Date: 05/17/2019
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2020
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
05/17/2019 12:11
1) Units for a particular lab test (platelets) were corrected on Visit 1 CRF.
2) The opt-out letter addressed to potential volunteers who have completed a clinical CPET was 
reattached. 
3) A general opt-out letter for potential volunteers who have not completed a CPET was included.
Revised Letter Recruitment Letter
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta, Figueroa | Tel: 282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jennifer, Ho, MD, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services, Principal Investigator


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
05/17/2019 12:11
Elizabeth, Liu, , MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
07/23/2019 17:35
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
July 23, 2019
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-03
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
25
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
07/17/2019
Approval/Activation Date: 07/23/2019
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2020
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
07/23/2019 17:35
Protocol Summary version (dated 06/27/2019)
Detailed Protocol, version 180927 JEH (dated 06/27/2019)
ANCILLARY COMMITTEES
1. Pharmacy (MGH) : Approved 
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta, Figueroa | Tel: 857-282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
07/23/2019 17:35
Jennifer, Ho, MD, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services, Principal Investigator
Elizabeth, Liu, MGH, Research Coordinator/Manager


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
12/13/2019 15:04
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
December 13, 2019
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-03
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
27
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
12/12/2019
Approval/Activation Date: 12/13/2019
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2020
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
 Changes to inclusion criteria.


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
12/13/2019 15:04
Protocol Summary version dated (11/27/19)
Detailed Protocol, 180927 JEH Detailed Protocol 11/27/19
Consent Form 
Advertisement
Instrument/Questionnaire
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
 
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta Figueroa | Tel: 857-282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
12/13/2019 15:04
cc: 
Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
03/17/2020 15:25
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
March 17, 2020
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
180927 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
09/27/2018
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-03
Fund #:
230841
IRB Continuing Review #: 3
IRB Review Type:
Designated
IRB Approval Date:
02/27/2020
Approval Effective Date:
03/13/2020
Approval/Activation Date: 03/17/2020
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2021
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB.
Partners has implemented the Policy on Conduct of Human Research Activities during COVID-19 
Operations. All research must comply with restrictions and requirements outlined in this policy.  


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
03/17/2020 15:25
Principal Investigators and research team must review and follow all restrictions related to 
recruitment and study activities 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
Protocol Summary (Version 11/27/19)
Consent Form 
Detailed Protocol, 180927 JEH 
IND Information (1)
DSMB/DMC Report (2)
Schema (1)
Flyer (1)
Package Insert (2)
Advertisement (3)
Telephone Script (1)
Recruitment Letter (3)
Adverse Event Log (1)
Minor Deviation Log (1)
Instrument/Questionnaire (7)
Letter Other than Recruitment (1)
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
03/17/2020 15:25
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
 
Questions related to this project may be directed to Elizabeth Regan | Tel: 857-282-1897 | Email: 
EREGAN1@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
06/29/2020 09:54
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
June 29, 2020
 
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
200609 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
06/09/2020
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
Mentoring in Patient-Oriented and Translational 
HFpEF Research
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH-National Institutes of Health
Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-04 
Fund #:
230841
IRB Amendment #:
34
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
06/26/2020
Approval/Activation Date: 06/29/2020
Next Review:
Continuing Review
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2021
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
06/29/2020 09:54
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB.
Note: IRB approval of research does NOT constitute final approval to conduct the 
research.  Human subjects research must be conducted in accordance with MGB's 
Expansion Plan of Clinical Research. 
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
Protocol Summary, 06/09/2020    
Detailed Protocol, 06/09/2020
Consent Form, (1)
Advertisement, (2) 
Flyer, (1)    
Instrument/Questionnaire, (2)
Recruitment Letter, (4)
Description of COVID changes
200609 Notification of COVID-19 Protocol Changes Enrolled Pts. 
Amended & Approved:

Updated to reflect changes. 

Updated Study staff contact information.  
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
06/29/2020 09:54
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
 
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta Figueroa | Tel: 857-282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jessica Wang, BS, Research Coordinator/Manager, Partners
Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
07/31/2020 16:22
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
July 31, 2020
 
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Partners > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Partners Human Research
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
200729 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
07/29/2020
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-04 
Fund #:
230841
Proposal Title:
Mentoring in Patient-Oriented and Translational 
HFpEF Research
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH-National Institutes of Health
Award Number:
1K24HL153669-01 
Fund #:
236904
IRB Amendment #:
36
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
07/31/2020
Approval/Activation Date: 07/31/2020
Next Review:
Continuing Review
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2021


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
07/31/2020 16:22
This project has been reviewed and approved by the PHS IRB. During the review of this project, the IRB 
specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
Note: IRB approval of research does NOT constitute final approval to conduct the 
research.  Human subjects research must be conducted in accordance with MGB's 
Expansion Plan of Clinical Research.
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
Protocol Summary (07/29/20)
Detailed Protocol
Consent Form 
To Recruit participants that completed clinically-indicated Right Heart Catheterization.
To Recruit patients from the Pulmonary Hypertension clinic
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 


Partners Human Research
Partners HealthCare
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Partners Human Research System
07/31/2020 16:22
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
 
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta Figueroa | Tel: 857-282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
Jessica Wang, BS, Research Coordinator/Manager, Partners
Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
08/19/2020 13:10
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
August 19, 2020
 
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Mass General Brigham > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Mass General Brigham IRB
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
200814 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
08/14/2020
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-04 
Fund #:
230841
Proposal Title:
Mentoring in Patient-Oriented and Translational 
HFpEF Research
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH-National Institutes of Health
Award Number:
1K24HL153669-01 
Fund #:
236904
IRB Amendment #:
38
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
08/19/2020
Approval/Activation Date: 08/19/2020
Next Review:
Continuing Review
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2021


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
08/19/2020 13:10
This project has been reviewed and approved by the MGB IRB. During the review of this project, the 
IRB specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
Note: IRB approval of research does NOT constitute final approval to conduct the 
research.  Human subjects research must be conducted in accordance with MGB's 
Expansion Plan of Clinical Research.
  
The following changes were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
Participants will be asked to complete required COVID testing (e.g. via nasopharyngeal swab) prior to 
procedures, such as the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET). This follows current hospital safety 
guidelines and protocols as put forth by the CPET laboratory. 
A revised Detailed Protocol, Version Date: 08/14/2020; Protocol Summary, Version Date: 08/14/2020; 
an informed consent, and recruitment materials reflect the changes made.
NOTE TO THE PI: Thank you for the updates, which could be communicated to active participants 
without formal reconsent. 
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in 
compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, 
and requirements of the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
08/19/2020 13:10
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta Figueroa | Tel: 857-282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc:  Jessica Wang, BS, Research Coordinator/Manager, Mass General Brigham
       Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
       Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
       Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
10/09/2020 15:41
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
October 09, 2020
 
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Mass General Brigham > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Mass General Brigham IRB
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
200814 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
08/14/2020
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-04 
Fund #:
230841
Proposal Title:
Mentoring in Patient-Oriented and Translational 
HFpEF Research
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH-National Institutes of Health
Award Number:
1K24HL153669-01 
Fund #:
236904
IRB Amendment #:
40
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
10/09/2020
Approval/Activation Date: 10/09/2020
Next Review:
Continuing Review
IRB Expiration Date:
03/21/2021


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
10/09/2020 15:41
This project has been reviewed and approved by the MGB IRB. During the review of this project, the 
IRB specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
Note: IRB approval of research does NOT constitute final approval to conduct the 
research.  Human subjects research must be conducted in accordance with MGB's 
Expansion Plan of Clinical Research.
  
The following changes were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
1) Eligibility CRF was updated to include "lactating/nursing" in exclusion criteria. This reflects the 
current protocol and informed consent, which excludes enrollment of women who are 
lactating/nursing, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant while participating in the study. 
2) Laboratory units on Visit 3 CRF were updated. 
3) Listed side effects on Visit 3, 4, and 5 CRFs were updated for clarity, as "nausea" had appeared 
twice in the list.
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
10/09/2020 15:41
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta Figueroa | Tel: 857-282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc:   Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
        Jessica Wang, BS, Research Coordinator/Manager, Mass General Brigham
        Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
        Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
02/22/2021 11:11
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
February 22, 2021
 
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Mass General Brigham > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Mass General Brigham IRB
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
200814 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
08/14/2020
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-04 
Fund #:
230841
Proposal Title:
Mentoring in Patient-Oriented and Translational 
HFpEF Research
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH-National Institutes of Health
Award Number:
1K24HL153669-01 
Fund #:
236904
IRB Continuing Review #: 4
IRB Review Type:
Full
IRB Approval Date:
02/16/2021
Approval/Activation Date: 02/22/2021
Next Review:
Continuing Review
IRB Expiration Date:
02/16/2022


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
02/22/2021 11:11
This project has been reviewed and approved by the MGB IRB. During the review of this project, the 
IRB specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
Note: IRB approval of research does NOT constitute final approval to conduct the 
research.  Human subjects research must be conducted in accordance with MGB's 
Expansion Plan of Clinical Research.
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
Detailed Protocol 
Protocol Summary
Consent From
Schema
Flyer
Advertisement
Minor Deviation Log
Adverse Event Log
Recruitment Letter
Telephone Script
DSMB/DMC Report
Letter Other than Recruitment
Package Insert
Instrument/Questionnaire
IND Information
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
02/22/2021 11:11
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
 
Questions related to this project may be directed to Robert Terrano | Tel: 857-282-1960 | Email: 
RTERRANO@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
Jessica Wang, BS, Research Coordinator/Manager, Mass General Brigham
Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
02/26/2021 16:32
Notification of IRB Review
Protocol #: 2017P001020
Date:
February 26, 2021
 
To:
Ho, Jennifer, MD
MGH
Mass General Brigham > MGH > Medical Services > Cardiac Unit 
From:
Mass General Brigham IRB
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145 
 
Title of Protocol:
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension 
Version/Number:
200814 JEH Detailed Protocol
Version Date:
08/14/2020
Sponsor/Funding/Support: Proposal Title:
The Association of Metabolic Disease and 
Pulmonary Hypertension
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH
Award Number:
5R01HL134893-04 
Fund #:
230841
Proposal Title:
Mentoring in Patient-Oriented and Translational 
HFpEF Research
Principal 
Investigator:
Ho, Jennifer
Immediate 
Sponsor:
NIH-National Institutes of Health
Award Number:
1K24HL153669-01 
Fund #:
236904
IRB Amendment #:
44
IRB Review Type:
Expedited
IRB Approval Date:
02/26/2021
Approval/Activation Date: 02/26/2021
Next Review:
Continuing Review
IRB Expiration Date:
02/16/2022


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
02/26/2021 16:32
This project has been reviewed and approved by the MGB IRB. During the review of this project, the 
IRB specifically considered (i) the risks and anticipated benefits, if any, to subjects; (ii) the selection of 
subjects; (iii) the procedures for obtaining and documenting informed consent; (iv) the safety of subjects; 
and (v) the privacy of subjects and confidentiality of the data. 
Please note that if an IRB member had a conflict of interest with regard to the review of this project, 
consistent with IRB policies and procedures, the member was required to recuse him/herself and, if 
applicable, leave the room during the discussion and vote on this project except to provide information 
requested by the IRB. 
Note: IRB approval of research does NOT constitute final approval to conduct the 
research.  Human subjects research must be conducted in accordance with MGB's 
Expansion Plan of Clinical Research.
The following documents were reviewed and approved by the IRB:
Recruitment Letter
Revised wording of General Opt-Out letter.
As Principal Investigator, you are responsible for ensuring that this project is conducted in compliance 
with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, institutional policies, and requirements of 
the IRB, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 
1. Submission of any and all proposed changes to this project (e.g., protocol, recruitment 
materials, consent form, status of the study, etc.) to the IRB for review and approval prior 
to initiation of the change(s), except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate 
hazards to the subject(s). Changes made to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to 
subjects must be reported to the IRB as an unanticipated problem. 
2. Submission of a continuing review submission or institutional status report as required by 
the IRB and/or institution to continue the research, and submission of a final report when 
the project has been closed or completed. 
3. Submission of any and all unanticipated problems, including adverse event(s) in 
accordance with the IRB's policy on reporting unanticipated problems including adverse 
events. 
4. Obtaining informed consent from subjects or their legally authorized representative prior 
to initiation of research procedures when and as required by the IRB and, when 
applicable, documenting informed consent current IRB approved consent form(s) with 
the IRB-approval stamp in the document footer. 
5. Informing all investigators and study staff listed on the project of changes and 
unanticipated problems, including adverse events, involving risks to subjects or others. 
6. When investigator financial disclosure forms are required, submitting updated financial 
disclosure forms for yourself and for informing all site responsible investigators, co-


Mass General Brigham IRB
Mass General Brigham
399 Revolution Drive, Suite 710
Somerville, MA 02145
Tel: 857-282-1900
Fax: 857-282-5693
Official Version Generated from the Mass General Brigham Human Research System
02/26/2021 16:32
investigators and any other members of the study staff identified by you as being 
responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of this research study of their obligation 
to submit updated Investigator Financial Disclosure Forms for this protocol to the IRB if 
(a) they have acquired new financial interests related to the study and/or (b) any of their 
previously reported financial interests related to the study have changed. 
IMPORTANT REMINDER: THE IRB HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE PROJECTS 
THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS.
 
Questions related to this project may be directed to Fausta Figueroa | Tel: 857-282-1909 | Email: 
FFIGUEROA@PARTNERS.ORG
cc: 
Jennifer Ho, MD, Principal Investigator, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services
Elizabeth Liu, Research Coordinator/Manager, MGH
Jessica Wang, BS, Research Coordinator/Manager, Mass General Brigham
Yvette Garcia, Cardiac Unit, Medical Services

SAP_001.pdf: 
 
Cardiometabolic Disease and Pulmonary 
Hypertension 
 
NCT03349775 
 
Document Version 1/15/2021 
 
 
 


Statistical Analysis Plan  
For METCPET clinical trial interim analysis 
Distributions and outliers of continuous variables will be examined using histograms and Whisker box 
plots. Variables with skewed distribution will be natural log-transformed to approximate normal 
distribution. Outliers detected by box plots will be examined case-by-case to ensure no data input 
errors. Categorical variables (race and ethnicity) will be checked manually in all subjects (n=15). 
Covariate data including age, sex, race/ethnicity, height in inches, weight in pounds, Body Mass Index 
(BMI), heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure will be summarized and reported in 
mean (Standard Deviation) for continuous variables and frequencies (percentage) for categorical 
variables. Between-group differences will be compared using two independent samples t-test or Fisher’s 
exact test as appropriate.  
We will calculate PAP/CO slope by using serial pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and cardiac output (CO) 
measurements before and after Metformin treatment for each randomized subject. Change in PAP/CO 
slope will then be generated by subtracting pre-treatment PAP/CO from post-treatment PAP/CO. The 
primary analysis will be between-group comparisons in PAP/CO slope change pre- and post-treatment in 
an intention-to-treat analysis using Welch’s t-test or Two independent samples t-test depending on the 
variances in both groups. We will also conduct secondary analysis on other hemodynamic and gas 
exchange variables with the same procedures. Mean change differences between groups will be 
reported with 95% confidence interval, and between-group PAP/CO slope changes and mean PAP 
changes will be visualized using Whisker box plots. P values are two-sided with a significance level of 
0.05. All statistical analyses will be performed in SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC).