Valsartan to protect the right heart in pulmonary hypertension

REVAMP-PH: REpurposing Valsartan May Protect against Pulmonary Hypertension

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-11181029

This project looks at whether valsartan, a common blood-pressure medicine, can protect the right side of the heart in adults with pulmonary hypertension.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11181029 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient's point of view, researchers plan to repurpose valsartan to target angiotensin receptors that may drive scarring and damage in the right ventricle. They are building on animal experiments and observational data showing lower mortality in people with pulmonary hypertension who took ACE inhibitors or ARBs. The work will combine laboratory studies with human-focused measures such as heart imaging, blood biomarkers (like NT-proBNP), and clinical follow-up of adults with pulmonary hypertension and right-heart dysfunction. The goal is to see if valsartan improves right-heart structure and function without relying only on lowering pulmonary pressures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension or pulmonary hypertension with evidence of right ventricular dysfunction or failure.

Not a fit: People without pulmonary hypertension or whose symptoms are solely due to left-heart disease or unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, valsartan could protect the right heart, lower complications, and improve survival or quality of life for people with pulmonary hypertension.

How similar studies have performed: Angiotensin receptor blockers are proven to help left-heart failure and observational data hint at benefit in pulmonary hypertension, but direct clinical evidence for right-heart protection is still limited.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.