A new study, lead by Dr. Pearce Wilcox, is now underway at St. Paul’s Hospital for patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).
The purpose of the study is to evaluate a new potential screening method for early detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in
scleroderma patients.
Patients with systemic sclerosis are at risk of developing pulmonary complications, including PH. PH is a condition where blood
pressure in vessels leading to the lungs (pulmonary arteries) is abnormally high. Without treatment, PH can progress and lead to
right-sided heart failure.Thus, early detection and management of PH are important in reducing the development and progression of
PH. Currently the standard test for detecting pulmonary hypertension is right heart catheterization.
This study investigates whether other tests, specifically exercise-based, can be used as an early detection of pulmonary
hypertension in individuals with systemic sclerosis. Following a patient over a period of three-years, this exercise testing consists of
an annual exercise, a blood test and echocardiography which will look at B-type Natriuretic Peptide. It is suggested that signs of right
heart failure and PH may be demonstrated through abnormal exercise testing results. |