Using contrast echocardiography during exercise to assess pulmonary blood volume

Assessment of Pulmonary Blood Volume Using Contrast Echocardiography During Exercise

Observational Mayo Clinic · NCT06195059

This study is testing if a special heart ultrasound can safely measure blood volume in the lungs during exercise to help understand how it affects people with and without heart failure.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment800 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rochester, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT06195059 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of pulmonary blood volume (PBV) measurements obtained through contrast echocardiography as a non-invasive alternative to invasive pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) during exercise. It will compare changes in PBV in patients with and without heart failure and pulmonary vascular disease. The study will involve patients referred for invasive exercise right heart catheterization due to exertional dyspnea, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of PBV in relation to exercise performance.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients referred for invasive exercise right heart catheterization who experience exertional dyspnea and have varying degrees of pulmonary hypertension.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo echocardiography or have had prior adverse reactions to echo contrast administration may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a safer, non-invasive method for assessing pulmonary blood volume in patients with heart failure and pulmonary vascular disease.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, it builds on existing methodologies in echocardiography, and similar studies have shown promise in non-invasive assessments of cardiac function.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients referred to the cardiac catheterization laboratory for invasive exercise right heart catheterization for evaluating exertional dyspnea. Investigators will include patients with normal or low EF, and across the spectrum of pulmonary hypertension severity.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient inability or unwillingness to undergo echocardiography including a contrast method, or if echocardiography would, in the opinion of the investigator, somehow compromise the quality of data acquisition for the clinical case.
* Prior adverse reaction to echo contrast administration

Where this trial is running

Rochester, Minnesota

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Heart FailurePulmonary Vascular Disease
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.