Publications & Research

Pulmonary Hypertension Current Research

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can be a progressive and severely limiting disease without treatment. The last two decades have seen an enormous improvement in the understanding of the pathological process of PAH and the development of new treatments through research and clinical trials but our knowledge of the best and most effective treatments is still limited.

We are members of the Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australia and New Zealand and contribute data to their large patient database. This enables a greater understanding of the disease burden, progression and natural history within Australia and New Zealand. This information can be used to track our own patients and outcomes compared to National standards. It also helps in campaigning for greater funding and treatment access from the Australian government.

Combination therapies have been shown to be more effective than single therapies, but the best combination is still unknown. Newer treatments and modes of delivery are being developed every year.

The Sydney Pulmonary Hypertension Specialists are actively involved in clinical research in the area of pulmonary hypertension. This not only enables us to advance knowledge in this field but also allows us to access therapies not currently available to patients in Australia.

As such, you may be invited to consider participating in one these research trials and PHSANZ database (deidentified information). The PHSANZ database is an Opt-Out study, which means your deidentified information will automatically be retained unless you ask to opt out. Participation in trials is free of charge and your travel costs will be reimbursed. You are under no obligation to accept, and your treatment will not be affected in any way if you wish to decline.

Currently we are running the following trials. Please let us know if you would be interested in participating.

PHSANZ DATABASE

Australia and New Zealand database of all PHT patients, treatment and outcomes

INSIGNIA-PAH

A Phase 2/3 Study of the Efficacy and Safety of an Inhaled sGC Stimulator in Participants with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Enrollment commenced 2022

ADVANCE OUTCOMES (APD811-301)

A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Ralinepag To Improve Treatment Outcomes in PAH Patients already on standard therapy.

Enrolment commencing 2019

ADVANCE CPET (APD811-302)

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of Ralinepag to Evaluate Safety and Effects on Exercise Capacity Assessed by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Subjects with World Health Organization Group 1 Pulmonary Hypertension Who Recently Initiated Therapy

ADVANCE EXTENSION (APD811-303)

A Study Evaluating the Long-term Efficacy and Safety of Ralinepag in Subjects with PAH via an Open-label Extension (ADVANCE-Extension)

FREEDOM 310

A Phase III, International, Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Worsening Study of UT-15C in Subjects with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Receiving Background Oral Monotherapy

Enrolment closed December 2017

FREEDOM 311

An Open-Label Extension Study of UT-15C in Subjects with Pulmonary Arterial        Hypertension - A       Long-Term Follow-Up to Protocol TDE-PH-310

Enrolment commenced February 2016

These international studies compared oral treprostinil versus placebo three times a day for  patients who were already on single background therapy. Thsi was a positive trial.

iNOvation

Inhaled nitric oxide/inopulse® delivery device for use in long-term symptomatic subjects with  pulmonary hypertension and in subjects with pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Commenced Dec 2016. Ceased 2019

This international trial was for patients with PAH having home oxygen.  It was comparing the addition of placebo to inhaled ambulatory nitric oxide for a minimum of 12 hours per day. It was ceased due to futility.

Cardiac 4D flow dynamics on cardiac MRI versus right heart catheterisation

This is a study of looking at four dimensional blood flow dynamics within the pulmonary artery in normal and pulmonary hypertensive patients using cardiac MRI.  A voluntary component of this study will be comparing right heart pressures on right heart catheterisation with the flow dynamics on cardiac MRI. This is a multi institutional study within NSW.

Respiratory muscle training to improve exercise capacity and quality of life in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension

This study is investigating the effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on heart function, exercise capacity and quality of life in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This is a multi institutional study within NSW which is being led by RPA hospital.