New ultrasound score may sharpen risk prediction for PAH patients
NCT ID NCT07266012
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This completed study looked at whether a new ultrasound score called VExUS can help doctors better assess risk in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Researchers measured VExUS in 86 adults and compared it to standard tests like heart catheterization and blood markers. The goal was to see if VExUS could spot early signs of fluid buildup and improve current risk models.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a better, non-invasive way to assess risk and congestion in PAH patients, potentially improving monitoring and treatment decisions.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. The VExUS score may not prove useful enough to change current practice, and results may not apply to all PAH patients.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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86 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2025
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population consists of adult patients diagnosed with World Health Organization (WHO) Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who are being followed at a tertiary pulmonary hypertension centre. Participants represent a real-world cohort of clinically stable PAH patients attending routine outpatient follow-up visits. All participants undergo non-invasive assessment including VEXUS ultrasonography, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), WHO functional class evaluation, and BNP measurement at the study visit. Recent right and/or left heart catheterisation data (performed within ±2 months for standard clinical indications) are collected from medical records. Patients with other forms of pulmonary hypertension, Eisenmenger syndrome, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, or pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis are excluded.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria * Adults aged ≥18 years * Established diagnosis of WHO Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) * Stable outpatient clinical status at the time of VExUS ultrasonography * Venous Excess Ultrasound Score (VExUS) evaluation performed with adequate ultrasonographic acoustic windows * Clinically indicated right heart catheterisation (RHC) performed within ±60 days of VExUS assessment * Availability of ESC/ERS 2022 simplified risk assessment variables (WHO functional class, BNP/NT-proBNP, and 6-minute walk distance) * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria * Pulmonary hypertension other than WHO Group 1, including: * PH due to left heart disease (WHO Group 2) * PH due to chronic lung disease or hypoxaemia (WHO Group 3) * Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH; WHO Group 4) * Multifactorial PH (WHO Group 5) * Eisenmenger syndrome * Complex or unrepaired congenital heart disease * Suspected pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) * Pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis (PCH) * Acute decompensated right heart failure * Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m²) * Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) * Congestive hepatopathy * Active infection * Pregnancy * Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent * Poor ultrasonographic acoustic window preventing adequate VExUS scoring
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Institute of Cardiology
Istanbul, FATIH, 34098, Turkey (Türkiye)
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