Using supplemental oxygen to treat pulmonary embolism
Official title: Supplemental Oxygen for Pulmonary Embolism (SO-PE) - A Mechanistic Clinical Trial
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10918051 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how extra oxygen might help people with acute pulmonary embolism by easing pressure in the lungs and helping the heart work better, and it will involve patients in the emergency department at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as some research with pigs to see if the same benefits can apply to humans.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $568,519 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168040-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918051 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism who are receiving treatment in the emergency department.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic pulmonary conditions or those who do not have acute pulmonary embolism may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how supplemental oxygen can help patients suffering from acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by reducing pressure in the pulmonary artery and improving heart function. The study will involve patients in the emergency department at Massachusetts General Hospital, where experienced researchers will monitor the effects of oxygen therapy. Additionally, a porcine model will be used to understand the underlying mechanisms of how oxygen alleviates symptoms of PE. The goal is to determine if the benefits observed in pigs can also be applied to human patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment protocols for patients with acute pulmonary embolism, potentially saving lives and enhancing recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that supplemental oxygen can have beneficial effects in similar acute conditions, suggesting a promising avenue for this research.
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.
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Endovascular vortex ultrasound to treat blood clots in the lungs
A new therapy uses a tiny ultrasound device inside the blood vessels to rapidly dissolve clots in the lungs of people with pulmonary embolism, aiming to reduce the need for high doses of clot-busting drugs.
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Supplemental Oxygen for Pulmonary Embolism: A Mechanistic Look at How Oxygen Helps the Heart and Lungs
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.
-
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.
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.