Ambulatory Oxygen in Pulmonary Hypertension
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of Ambulatory Oxygen on Exercise Desaturation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: a pilot study
IRAS ID
309176
Contact name
Colin Church
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Golden Jubilee Research Institute
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 8 days
Research summary
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a rare, progressive disease characterised by increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. The disease is categorised into five sub-groups; Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) belongs to Group I (pulmonary arterial hypertension). IPAH causes progressive narrowing of the pulmonary arteries, increasing resistance and pressure which eventually manifests as heart failure and premature death.
Exercise intolerance is a primary symptom of IPAH that causes fatigue, breathlessness during exertion, and reduced capabilities for daily activities, culminating as a significant reduction in patients’ quality of life. At the time of diagnosis, most individuals have marked functional limitation and are classified as Functional Class III or IV of the New York Heart Association. Upon exercise, the oxygen saturations of patients with IPAH reduce by varying amounts, which undoubtedly contributes to their symptoms.
The mechanism underlying the exercise-induced desaturation remains unclear. With our current knowledge base, it appears desaturation is multifactorial, due to the inability of the heart to compensate for the increased oxygen demand during exercise, alongside poor gas exchange in the lungs. Equally, reduced time available for exchange of oxygen and other waste products between the bloodstream and the muscles may play a role.
The majority of patients with IPAH desaturate during a six minute walk test (6MWT). This study aims to give a cohort of patients ambulatory oxygen prior to and throughout a 6MWT to observe for any improvements in exercise induced desaturation.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0094
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion