Keeping your lungs healthy can help you avoid more serious issues down the road. If you have pulmonary hypertension, your lungs' and your heart are working much harder than they should. Get the right evaluation and treatment at Tufts Medicine.
Heart smart about pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is when high blood pressure in the lungs' arteries makes the right side of your heart work harder than normal.It doesn't have to be this way. Testing is easy and the treatments range from medication to new and experimental breakthrough therapies.We lead the way in clinical trials showing the effectiveness of several breakthrough therapies not available anywhere else and you may have access to them.
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Testing
We carefully evaluate your overall lung health and your symptoms, beginning with a range of noninvasive tests, including:
- Cardiac catheterization
- Chest x-rays
- Comprehensive blood testing
- CT angiogram
- CT scan
- Echocardiogram
- Perfusion scans
- Pulmonary function tests (PFT)
- Sleep studies
- Ventilation scan
Treatments
A personalized treatment plan will be created to address your specific needs in managing pulmonary hypertension. As this condition is frequently associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, or other ailments, our team of specialists from various Tufts Medicine departments will collaborate to provide the best possible care. Based on the type of pulmonary hypertension diagnosed, we may suggest the following treatment options:
- Oral medicines
- Inhaled medications
- Intravenous infusions
- New and experimental therapies
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Clinical trials
AEROVATE Extension
Interstitial lung diseases, Pulmonary hypertension
All genders
18-75
Recruiting now
Rodatristat Ethyl in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension
All genders
18+
Recruiting now
A Phase 2, Open-Label, Dose Escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of RT234
Pulmonary hypertension
All genders
18-80
Recruiting now
I possess a deep understanding of pulmonary hypertension, its diagnosis, treatment modalities, and associated clinical trials. My expertise stems from a comprehensive knowledge base that encompasses medical literature, research studies, and clinical applications.
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH): Pulmonary hypertension is a condition characterized by increased blood pressure within the arteries of the lungs, causing the right side of the heart to work harder to pump blood. This can lead to heart failure if not managed appropriately. The causes of PH can be idiopathic (unknown), or secondary to other conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease, or other pulmonary diseases.
Diagnostic Tests for Pulmonary Hypertension:
- Cardiac Catheterization: This invasive procedure measures the pressure inside the heart and lungs directly.
- Chest X-rays: These provide images of the heart and lungs to assess their structure and function.
- CT Angiogram & CT Scan: These imaging techniques help visualize the blood vessels and lung structures.
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart that evaluates its structure and function.
- Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): These tests measure how well the lungs are functioning.
- Perfusion Scans & Ventilation Scans: These specialized scans assess blood flow and air distribution in the lungs.
- Sleep Studies: These studies evaluate breathing patterns during sleep, essential as sleep-related breathing disorders can exacerbate PH.
Treatment Options for Pulmonary Hypertension: Treatment is tailored based on the underlying cause and severity of PH. Some of the therapeutic options include:
- Oral Medications: Drugs like phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, and prostacyclins can help dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure in the lungs.
- Inhaled Medications: These include aerosolized forms of vasodilators to directly target the lungs.
- Intravenous Infusions: In severe cases, continuous intravenous infusions of prostacyclins can be used.
- New and Experimental Therapies: Emerging treatments are continually being researched and tested in clinical trials, as mentioned in the provided article.
Clinical Trials and Research: Tufts Medicine appears to be at the forefront of PH research, offering patients access to groundbreaking clinical trials. Some of the studies mentioned include:
- AEROVATE Extension: This long-term study evaluates the safety and efficacy of AV-101 in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
- Rodatristat Ethyl Study: A Phase 2b trial assessing the effects of Rodatristat Ethyl in patients with PAH.
- RT234 Study: This open-label study focuses on evaluating the safety and efficacy of RT234 on exercise parameters in subjects with PAH.
In summary, pulmonary hypertension is a complex condition requiring comprehensive evaluation and management. With advancements in diagnostic techniques and therapeutic modalities, including ongoing clinical trials, there's hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for patients affected by this condition.
