RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Exploring Blood Cell Function and Oxidative Stress to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment in Pre-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension

This research aims to understand how blood cells and 'oxidative stress' (a type of body stress) work in people with a specific type of high blood pressure in the lungs, called pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. We hope to discover if changes in your blood cells and how your body handles stress can help doctors diagnose the condition earlier and better predict how it might progress. Over three years, we'll collect blood samples during your regular hospital visits. We'll compare these blood tests with your usual health checks, like heart scans and walking tests. This will help us learn if these new blood markers can improve how we monitor your health and tailor your care. It's a 'non-interventional' study, meaning you won't be given any new treatments.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Strasbourg, France

Enrolment target

120

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2026

Pre-capillary Pulmonary Hypertension

What is this study about?

This study is about a condition called 'pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension', which is a type of high blood pressure in the arteries going from your heart to your lungs. This can make your heart work harder and make you feel tired or breathless. We want to find better ways to understand and monitor this condition.

Our research focuses on your blood. Specifically, we're looking at how certain cells in your blood, like white blood cells and platelets, are working. We're also interested in something called 'oxidative stress', which is a natural imbalance in your body that can sometimes be linked to health problems. We believe that looking at these things in your blood might help us see early signs of how your condition is changing or how severe it is.

We will compare these blood test results with your regular health checks, such as heart scans, 'right heart catheterization' (a special test to measure pressures in your heart and lungs), and '6-minute walk tests' (which measure how far you can walk in six minutes). By doing this, we hope to learn if these blood markers can give doctors more information to monitor your health over time and adjust your treatment to suit you better.

Key takeaways

This study helps understand lung high blood pressure.
It uses routine blood samples and health checks.
Participation lasts for three years, with up to three blood samples yearly.
No new treatments are given; it's about observation.
It aims to find better ways to track and diagnose the condition.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or over. You must have been diagnosed with a specific type of high blood pressure in your lungs called 'pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension', which your doctor will have confirmed with a test called a right heart catheterisation. Your type of pulmonary hypertension must fit into one of three groups: Group 1 (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, or PAH), Group 3 (related to long-term breathing problems), or Group 4 (caused by old blood clots).

You should also be someone who has regular follow-up appointments and/or right heart catheterisation planned at the hospital where the study is taking place. It's really important that you are able and willing to understand what the study involves and give your permission to take part.

You cannot join if you have another type of pulmonary hypertension called 'post-capillary pulmonary hypertension'. Also, if you have conditions that would make taking blood samples unsafe, like severe anaemia or bleeding problems, you wouldn't be able to participate. If you're already in another study that might affect the blood tests we're looking at, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you also can't take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension?
Do you have regular follow-up appointments at the study hospital?
Are you able to understand and agree to take part?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you won't receive any new treatments or medicines. This study is about observing your health as part of your usual care. We will collect blood samples during your routine hospital visits, which are already planned for your diagnosis and follow-up. You'll have blood samples taken up to three times a year for a total of three years. These samples will be used to measure things like 'oxidative stress' and how your blood cells are working. The study will last for three years in total.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct health benefits from taking part, but your involvement could help improve understanding and care for others with pulmonary hypertension in the future. The risks are very low; they include the small discomfort or bruising from blood draws, which are already part of your routine care. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg - Service Physiologie explorations fonctionnelles
Verified postcode
Strasbourg, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension'?

It's a type of high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your lungs.

Will I get new medicines in this study?

No, this is an 'observational' study, meaning you won't receive any new treatments. You'll continue with your usual medical care.

How often will I need to give blood?

We'll collect blood samples during your routine hospital visits, up to three times a year, for three years.

What are you looking for in my blood?

We're looking at how certain blood cells work and checking for something called 'oxidative stress', which is a type of body imbalance.

Will taking part affect my regular medical care?

No, your decision to participate or withdraw will not affect the quality of your usual medical care.

How to find out more

Marianne RIOU

marianne.riou@chru-strasbourg.fr + 33 3 69 55 11 45 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.