This study is examining the effects of six weeks of inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) on outcomes related to pulmonary hypertension. This study leverages previous cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) results and a pre-existing upcoming CPET to examine the effects of IMST on cardiopulmonary pressures and exercise tolerance and ability.
PH is a condition characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the lungs (i.e., pulmonary arterial pressure), which impacts heart function and reduces exercise tolerance. This study will assess whether six weeks of a breathing exercise called IMST can improve heart and lung function as well as exercise capacity for individuals with PH. For this study, patients will be asked to perform IMST for the six weeks prior to their next scheduled clinical standard of care assessment of their PH. The goal of this study is to determine whether IMST reduces pulmonary arterial pressure and improves exercise tolerance in individuals with PH. This study will be minimally invasive, as it simply adds a safe, well-tolerated, non-invasive respiratory training to the participants' standard of care and leverages their existing PH assessment data to evaluate the impact of IMST on PH.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
4
Participants will be asked to inhale against a resistance. This resistance will be set to \~55% of their maximal inspiratory ability. Participants will complete 5 sets of 6 breaths (30 total) a day for 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Pulmonary arterial pressure
To be eligible for this study, patients must already have an upcoming invasive cardiopulmonary exercise test scheduled for assessment of their PH. Pulmonary arterial pressure will be obtained from this upcoming appointment as well as from previous medical records and an upcoming already scheduled assessment of pulmonary hypertension.
Time frame: The data will be obtained from previous medical records of patient visits occurring up to 8 months prior to enrollment and at the end of treatment at 6 weeks post enrollment. .
Cardiac Output
This will be obtained as part of the usual standard assessment of pulmonary hypertension. Patients must already have this scheduled prior to enrollment in this study. Cardiac output, a measure of the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, will be determined at rest and in response to exercise during the scheduled cardiopulmonary exercise test. This involves a graded maximal cycling protocol on a stationary bike, where resistance progressively increases until the patient reaches their maximum effort or exhaustion .
Time frame: The data will be obtained from previous medical records of patient visits occurring up to 8 months prior to enrollment and at the end of treatment, which occurs 6 weeks post-initiation.
Maximal Oxygen Uptake
This will be obtained as part of the usual standard assessment of pulmonary hypertension. Patients must already have this scheduled prior to enrollment in this study. Maximal oxygen uptake, a measure of the body's maximum ability to take in, transport, and utilize oxygen during intense exercise, will be determined during the scheduled cardiopulmonary exercise test. This test involves a graded maximal cycling protocol on a stationary bike, where resistance progressively increases until the patient reaches their maximum effort or exhaustion. Throughout the test, patients will wear a mask that is used to analyze gas exchange.
Time frame: The data will be obtained from previous medical records of patient visits occurring up to 8 months prior to enrollment and at the end of treatment at 6 weeks post enrollment. .
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