Supplemental Oxygen for Pulmonary Embolism: A Mechanistic Look at How Oxygen Helps the Heart and Lungs
Official title: Supplemental Oxygen for Pulmonary Embolism (SO-PE) - A Mechanistic Clinical Trial
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11401200 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant tests how giving extra oxygen affects lung pressure and heart strain in people with acute pulmonary embolism, with supportive animal studies to understand the biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $580,687 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168040-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401200 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults presenting with acute pulmonary embolism in participating ED settings who meet the trial criteria and consent to metabolomic analyses and imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with PE who do not meet eligibility or who do not respond to oxygen therapy may not experience the anticipated benefits.
What this research studies
This project explores why supplemental oxygen lowers pulmonary artery pressure and eases right heart strain in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. It uses a mechanistic trial in the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department and parallel pig studies to investigate metabolic pathways involved, including hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Metabolomics analyses will help identify biochemical changes associated with oxygen therapy. The study combines clinical measurements with advanced imaging and biomarkers to uncover how oxygen benefits people with PE.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify how oxygen therapy eases heart and lung stress in PE and guide more effective treatment strategies for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and limited human data suggest oxygen reduces PA pressure in PE, but this trial aims to confirm mechanisms in humans with robust metabolic analysis.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kabrhel, Christopher — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kabrhel, Christopher
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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AI-powered tool to better predict and manage acute pulmonary embolism
A new AI system uses imaging and patient data to improve how doctors predict short-term risk and tailor treatment for people with acute pulmonary embolism.
-
Endovascular vortex ultrasound to treat blood clots in the lungs
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Pulmonary embolism: catheter-directed clot removal for better outcomes
This trial tests whether delivering clot-dissolving medication directly to the lungs via a catheter helps people with submassive pulmonary embolism feel better and function better, with fewer bleeding risks.
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Pulmonary embolism treatment with catheter-directed thrombus removal versus no catheter therapy
This study tests whether removing clot with a targeted catheter approach helps people with submassive pulmonary embolism feel better and move more easily, compared with not using catheter therapy.
-
Molecular and imaging study of blood clots and inflammation in pulmonary embolism
A research project uses a mouse model to understand how blood clots and inflammatory cells affect pulmonary embolism and its outcomes, with the goal of better diagnosis and treatment for people with PE.
-
Helping ER doctors use a pulmonary embolism risk tool
This project adds simple behavioral "nudges" to an electronic pulmonary embolism risk tool to help ER doctors pick the right patients for CT scans, aiming to cut down on unnecessary scans for people with suspected PE.
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.