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Right Atrial Fibrosis in Pulmonary Hypertension

Completed
Conditions
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary Hypertension
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Registration Number
NCT04663230
Lead Sponsor
University of Giessen
Brief Summary

The study aim to assess right atrial (RA) remodeling, in terms of RA fibrosis, in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients. This will be investigated in detail with in-depth cardiac magnet resonance imaging (CMRI). A cohort with exclusion of pulmonary hypertension which underwent CMRI due to dyspnoe of unkown reason will be the control group.

Detailed Description

Right atrial (RA) function consists of a reservoir, conduit, and active contractile function and can serve as a tool for the evaluation of the severity of RV dysfunction and prognosis in pulmonary hypertension according to recent data. In-depth evaluation of phasic RA function was previously undertaken either by echocardiographic speckle tracking or by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging-derived feature tracking. However, it is currently unknown if right atrial remodeling is present.

As described for left atrial fibrosis, the presence and extent of atrial fibrosis can be quantified using CMR late gadolinium enhancement. The protocol for the assessment of left atrial fibrosis will be used and adapted to the RA. Patients will undergo 3-dimensional late gadolinium enhancement CMRI along with a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and cine imaging in order to define the anatomy of the RA and the superior and inferior vein. High-resolution late gadolinium enhancement images of the RA will be acquired 15 to 30 min after gadolinium-based contrast agents administration using a 3-dimensional inversion-recovery prepared, respiration navigated, and electrocardiogram triggered gradient-echo pulse sequence with fat saturation. Following acquisition of the scans, the endocardial borders of the RA will be defined in each slice by manual tracing. After manual adjustment of the epicardial RA surface, the quantification of fibrosis based on the relative intensity (signal intensity) of late gadolinium enhancement will be performed. Finally, a 3-dimensional model of the RA will be rendered with the maximum enhancement intensities being projected on the model surface.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension, WHO group 1 or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, group 4
  • Invasive exclusion of pulmonary hypertension
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Signed informed consent
  • planned right heart catheterization based on clinical grounds
Exclusion Criteria
  • Other etiologic groups of pulmonary hypertension (WHO group 2, 3, 5)
  • Patients with congenital heart disease
  • Atrial septal defects
  • Clinical relevant left heart disease
  • Atrial fibrillation / Atrial flutter
  • Ablations of the right atrium
  • History of major cardiac surgery
  • Atrial occlude
  • Metallic implants
  • Pacemakers
  • Severe renal impairment (eGFR < 30 ml/min)
  • Other severe disease with a life expectancy below 12 month
  • Pregnancy
  • Any known factor or disease that might interfere with treatment compliance, study conduct, or interpretation of results
  • Intolerance to a contrast agent containing gadolinium
  • Inability to perform a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (claustrophobia or similar)

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Controlcardiac magnetic resonance imagingPatients with invasive exclusion of pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary arterial pressure below 25 mmHg) undergoing diagnostic CMRI due to the evaluation of dyspnoea.
Pulmonary arterial hypertensioncardiac magnetic resonance imagingPatients with mean pulmonary arterial pressure above 25 mmHg, and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure below 15 mmHg classified into group 1 of the clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertensioncardiac magnetic resonance imagingPatients with mean pulmonary arterial pressure above 25 mmHg, and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure below 15 mmHg with a history of pulmonary embolism, classified into group 4 of the clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
atrial fibrosis1 day

right atrial late gadolinium enhancement in % and cm2

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Correlation of right atrial fibrosis with remodeling of the right atrium, backflow and systemic congestion1 day

right atrial late gadolinium enhancement in % and cm2 correlated with right atrial size (volume and cm2) and inferior vena cava diameter in cm2

Correlation of right atrial fibrosis with pulmonary hemodynamics1 day

right atrial late gadolinium enhancement in % and cm2 correlated with mean right atrial pressure

Correlation of right atrial fibrosis with load-independent right ventricular function assessed by pressure-volume loop catheterization1 day

right atrial late gadolinium enhancement in % and cm2 correlated with end-systolic to arterial elastance

Correlation of right atrial fibrosis with biomarkers1 day

right atrial late gadolinium enhancement in % and cm2 correlated with B-type natriuretic peptide in pg/ml

Correlation of right atrial fibrosis with functional and exercise capacity1 day

right atrial late gadolinium enhancement in % and cm2 correlated with 6minute walking distance in m or peak oxygen uptake in ml/min/kg

Prognostic relevance of right atrial fibrosis1 day

right atrial late gadolinium enhancement in % and cm2 as a predictor of clinical worsening or death

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Kerckhoff-Klinik

🇩🇪

Bad Nauheim, Hesse, Germany

University of Giessen

🇩🇪

Gießen, Hesse, Germany

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