Transbronchial imaging to detect pulmonary hypertension during bronchoscopy
Official title: Transbronchial diagnosis and characterization of pulmonary hypertension with Mechanomicroscopy
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11399173 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new imaging approach used during bronchoscopy could help diagnose pulmonary hypertensionEarlier and more accurately, especially in people with lung disease.
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, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $801,191 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL180305-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399173 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with lung disease who are undergoing bronchoscopy and may have or be at risk for pulmonary hypertension.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without lung disease or without suspected pulmonary hypertension are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop Mechanomicroscopy to visualize blood vessels in the lungs during bronchoscopy so doctors can detect pulmonary hypertension as it develops. It will validate how well this imaging method measures arterial pressure and remodeling in the lungs during a routine procedure. The goal is to shorten the time to diagnosis and tailor treatments based on the specific vascular changes seen during the bronchoscopy. The work will involve translating the imaging platform into a clinically feasible tool that can be used during standard care. Results could lead to faster, more personalized care for patients with lung-disease-related pulmonary hypertension.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive quicker, more precise diagnoses and personalized treatments for pulmonary hypertension detected during bronchoscopy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous imaging approaches during bronchoscopy have shown promise; this project aims to translate that into a validated clinical tool.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suter, Melissa J — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Suter, Melissa J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how CD4 T cells fuel schistosomiasis-related lung disease
A study explores how specific immune cells and inflammatory signals in schistosomiasis may contribute to pulmonary hypertension in people affected by the disease.
-
CD4 T Cells, Schistosoma, and Pulmonary Hypertension: Understanding How Immune Cells Drive Disease
A human-health focused study uses a mouse model and human samples to explore how immune cells and inflammation may contribute to a lung blood vessel disease linked to schistosomiasis.
-
CD4 T Cells and Schistosoma-Related Pulmonary Hypertension
A study to understand how specific immune cells behave in a lung complication caused by schistosomiasis, with the goal of finding targets to prevent or treat it.
-
Clinical CT Imaging to identify and subtype pulmonary hypertension in COPD
A new CT imaging approach aims to help doctors detect and classify pulmonary hypertension in people with COPD.
-
Right heart remodeling in pulmonary hypertension
In people with pulmonary hypertension, researchers are studying how the right side of the heart changes and why it fails, with the goal of finding new treatments.
-
TEMPO-PH: How the right heart adapts in pulmonary hypertension over time
A study to build a detailed molecular portrait of why the right side of the heart fails in pulmonary hypertension and how a common heart medicine might help.
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.