Developing a mechanical support system for patients with pulmonary hypertension
Official title: The Road to Destination Therapy: Developing a Durable Ambulatory Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Support for Pulmonary Hypertension
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11017706 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use heart and lung support system for people with severe pulmonary hypertension, helping them stay active and improve their treatment experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $671,339 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171577-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017706 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with severe pulmonary hypertension who are at risk of right ventricular failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild pulmonary hypertension or those who are not experiencing significant symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a durable and portable mechanical cardiopulmonary support system for patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension, a condition that can lead to severe heart failure. The team will investigate the physiological changes in patients with end-stage pulmonary hypertension using a large animal model, which allows for a better understanding of the disease and the development of a more effective support device. By addressing the limitations of current technologies, such as ECMO, this project aims to improve patient mobility and overall treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option that significantly improves the quality of life and survival rates for patients with pulmonary hypertension.
How similar studies have gone: While mechanical support systems have been used in other contexts, this specific approach to pulmonary hypertension is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bacchetta, Matthew Dominic — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bacchetta, Matthew Dominic
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.