Pulmonary hypertension in adults on chronic hemodialysis: prevalence, causes, and prognosis
Prevalence, Pathogenesis, and Prognosis of Pulmonary Hypertension in Dialysis Patients
This study will test how common pulmonary hypertension is and what causes it in adults on long-term hemodialysis, using heart imaging, catheter measurements, and blood markers to see who is at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pavia, Lombardy) |
| Trial ID | NCT07563608 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective multicenter longitudinal observational study of adults with end-stage renal disease receiving chronic extracorporeal hemodialysis. Participants receive a standardized screening echocardiogram the day after an intermediate dialysis session to estimate pulmonary hypertension probability, and those at high risk undergo confirmatory right heart catheterization, lung imaging, and respiratory function testing. The protocol measures biomarkers such as angiopoietin-2 and quantifies right ventricular function (TAPSE) to explore pathogenesis and prognostic value. The study also examines the hemodynamic effects of high-flow arteriovenous fistulas and volume overload with clinical follow-up at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–75 who have been on stable extracorporeal hemodialysis for at least 6 months, dialyzed two or three times per week, and able to provide written informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with WHO functional class IV, significant valvular or congenital heart disease, recent acute infection, those on other dialysis modalities, or those unable to attend the single center visits are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify dialysis patients at highest risk for pulmonary hypertension and support earlier, targeted monitoring or interventions to improve outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work has linked dialysis-related factors, arteriovenous fistulas, and volume overload to pulmonary hypertension, but prospective multicenter data linking biomarkers like angiopoietin-2 and TAPSE to prognosis remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged between 18 and 75 years * Patients on stable extracorporeal hemodialysis for at least 6 months * Dialysis frequency of two or three times per week * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * WHO functional class IV * Presence of valvular or congenital heart disease * Acute infections within the month preceding the cardiological evaluation
Where this trial is running
Pavia, Lombardy
- Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia — Pavia, Lombardy, Italy (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.