Recently it has been shown that clear reproducible Doppler signals can be recorded from the lung parenchyma by means of a pulsed Doppler ultrasound system incorporating a special signal processing package parametric Doppler, TPD, EchoSense Ltd., Haifa, Israel). These lung Doppler signals (LDS) are in full synchrony with the cardiac cycle and can be obtained from the lungs, including areas remote from the heart and main pulmonary vessels. The LDS waves typically have peak velocities of up to 30 cm/s and are of relatively high power, making it possible to detect them despite the aforementioned attenuation by the air in the lungs. The LDS are thought to represent the radial wall movement of small pulmonary blood vessels, caused by pressure pulse waves of cardiac origin which propagate throughout the lung vasculature. The LDS may contain information of significant diagnostic and physiological value regarding the pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature, as well as the cardio-vascular system in general. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition characterized by reshaping of the small pulmonary arteries with increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, leading gradually to right-sided cardiac failure. A trans-thoracic echocardiograph (TTE) is a test classically undertaken in order to screen for pulmonary hypertension. However, the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) values thereby obtained are often imprecise and depend upon the expertise of the individual carrying out the test. Therefore, the pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output values have to be ascertained with a right-sided cardiac catheterization, which is considered the gold-standard, but is invasive. In a pilot study of adult PAH patients (unpublished), lung Doppler signals have been shown to have the potential to diagnose pulmonary hypertension in two different ways: First, by measuring the degree of attenuation of the LDS during acute pressure rise in the chest cavity (i.e. during Valsalva maneuver). Second, by detecting differences between the LDS in patients with PAH and control subjects. One of the objectives of the present study is to evaluate the lung Doppler signals in pediatric patients of various age groups, with and without pulmonary vascular disease. The second objective of the study is to verify previous findings of abnormal lung Doppler signals in adult patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Diagnose specific pattern of LDS in children by features as velocity & power in comparison to adult LDS pattern.
Timeframe: 1 year to collect all data and obtain an average diagnostic pattern