Hypertension Pulmonary Clinical Trial
Official title:
Non-invasive Estimation of Pulmonary Capillary Blood Volume in Pre- and Postcapillary Pulmonary Hypertension - a Pilot Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the role of the non-invasive assessment of nitric
oxyde (NO) diffusion capacity (DLNO) in the differential diagnosis of different forms of
pulmonary hypertension (PH). DLNO alone and in combination with the measurement of carbon
monoxide (CO) diffusion capacity (DLCO) may help to differentiate between pre- and
postcapillary forms of pulmonary hypertension. This hypothesis is based on the fact that NO
has a much higher affinity to hemoglobin as compared to CO and may therefore its decrease may
more specifically identify the limiting factors between the alveolar space and the lung
capillaries including left heart failure (cardiac edema).
As there are no available published data yet to answer this question investigators aim to
perform a small pilot study. The results of this study may allow the planning of a
prospective study.
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