Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 and up

Impact of ambient air vs nasal liquid oxygen on exercise performance in pulmonary vascular disease

Official title: Exercise Performance on Ambient Air vs. Commonly Prescribed Nasal Low Flow Oxygen Therapy in Patients With Exercise Induced Desaturation Due to Pulmonary Disease

Run by University of Zurich · NCT07777445 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether using nasal liquid oxygen during a 6-minute walk test changes how far patients with PAH or CTEPH can walk compared to breathing room air.

More Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment40 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Zurich
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 1, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2028
Study endsDecember 31, 2028
Registry record updatedSeptember 9, 2026
Trial IDNCT07777445 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (18+) with PAH or CTEPH residing in Switzerland, with a history of desaturation during exercise and stable drug therapy.

Probably not a fit

Patients without desaturation during exercise or those who cannot tolerate nasal LOX may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

In this randomized cross-over study, adults with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) living in Switzerland undergo two 6-minute walk tests: one with ambient air and one with nasal liquid oxygen at about 4 L/min. Participants have a history of exercise-induced desaturation and are on stable therapy. The goal is to determine if nasal LOX affects walking distance versus breathing ambient air within the same individual. The trial uses a cross-over design to compare each participant under both conditions. Primary outcome is 6MWD under LOX versus ambient air.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If LOX improves exercise capacity, patients may experience greater ease during daily activities.

How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches have shown mixed results in respiratory and vascular conditions, making this cross-over study informative for this specific patient group.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* \- Minimum 18 years of age
* Written informed consent
* Patients with diagnosed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), distal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with emphysema, COPD without emphysema, or interstitial lung disease
* Former desaturation under exercise defined as SpO2-decrease \>3%
* Treated with a stable drug therapy (with no changes for at least 14 days prior to screening)

Exclusion Criteria:

* \- Severe hypoxemia needing supplemental oxygen therapy defined as PaO2 \< 6.9 kPa
* Inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention
* Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, walk disability etc.

Where it's running

  • University Hospital Zurich
    Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Silvia Ulrich, Prof. Dr. med. — University Hospital Zurich, Department of Pulmonology
  • Study coordinator: Silvia Ulrich, Prof. Dr. med.
  • Email: silvia.ulrich@usz.ch
  • Phone: +41442552220

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.