Neural respiratory drive in pulmonary hypertension

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Neural respiratory drive in patients with pulmonary hypertension, its correlation with markers of severity and how it changes with treatment.

• IRAS ID

  249375

• Contact name

  Martin Johnson

• Contact email

  mjohnson4@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Golden Jubilee National Hospital / National Waiting Times Board

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  NCT04293640

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 5 days

• Research summary

  Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) is a rare condition that can be caused by a number of different underlying processes. It is grouped into 5 categories by the World Health Organisation related to the cause. Patients affected by the condition tend to have reduced exercise tolerance and be restricted by breathlessness.

  Neural respiratory drive can be thought of a measure of the signals from the brain to the muscles of breathing. It is a novel physiological measurement and has been studied in other long term respiratory conditions.

  We aim to measure neural respiratory drive in patients attending for investigation of a potential diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension to the Scottish Pulmonary Vascular Unit. We will then measure NRD again following commencement of treatment for the underlying condition for patients who have been diagnosed with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. These results will be compared to other measurements obtained as part of normal clinical follow up.

  Measurements obtained will include:
  Lung function - performing non-invasive breathing tests
  Exercise capacity - 6 minute walk test and bicycle test
  Quality of life - questionnaire
  Right heart catheterisation - results of the pressure readings in the heart

  Neural respiratory drive will be measured by a standardised process involving placement of small pads onto the muscles on the upper chest. An elasticated band is also worn around the chest during the measurements. The process is non-invasive and takes around 20 minutes. Measurements are taken with the patient lying in bed while breathing normally followed by maximum intake of breath.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 4

• REC reference

  19/WS/0002

• Date of REC Opinion

  17 Jan 2019

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion