Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Assessment of Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling in Schistosomiasis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Egypt50 participantsStarted 2026-07

Plain-language summary

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a progressive and potentially fatal cardiopulmonary disorder characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, progressive elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and eventual right ventricular (RV) failure. According to the 2022 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) guidelines, pulmonary hypertension is currently defined hemodynamically by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) \>20 mmHg measured by right heart catheterization, while pulmonary arterial hypertension is additionally characterized by pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤15 mmHg and PVR \>2 Wood units. Schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (Sch-PAH) is classified within Group 1 PAH and represents one of the most important causes of PAH in endemic regions, particularly in developing countries such as Egypt and Brazil. Schistosomiasis is considered the second most prevalent parasitic disease worldwide after malaria, affecting more than 200 million individuals globally. Chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis may lead to porto-systemic shunting, allowing parasite eggs to embolize into the pulmonary circulation, triggering chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and pulmonary vascular remodeling. The pathological changes observed in Sch-PAH resemble those seen in idiopathic PAH, including medial hypertrophy, intimal fibrosis, and plexiform lesions. However, several studies suggest that patients with Sch-PAH may exhibit better long-term survival compared with idiopathic PAH despite comparable pulmonary hemodynamic impairment. The mechanisms underlying this relatively favorable prognosis remain incompletely understood. Right ventricular adaptation to increased afterload is currently recognized as one of the principal determinants of prognosis in PAH.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

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.

Inclusion Criteria: * All patients above 18 year diagnosed with schistozomiasis through history of exposure , serology , positive stool antigens ,Symmers' periportal fibrosis (the "clay pipe-stem" appearance) or Splenomegaly and suspected pulmonary hypertension through Probability Score" approach based on the 2022 ESC/ERS Exclusion Criteria: * All patients below 18 years old. * Left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction. * Significant left-sided valvular heart disease. * severe chronic lung disease such as, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ---- GOLD 4 and severe Interstitial lung disease (ILD). * Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension. * Congenital heart diseases. * Severe hepatic or renal impairment unrelated to schistosomiasis. * Hemodynamically unstable patients. * Poor echocardiographic window preventing adequate RV assessment. * Active infection or acute systemic illness. * Refusal to participate in the study. * Significant arrhythmias affecting hemodynamic assessment (e.g., uncontrolled atrial fibrillation). * Previous heart or lung transplantation. * Pregnancy.

Questions worth asking your doctor

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.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

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.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling quantified by the TAPSE/PASP ratio measured by transthoracic echocardiography at baseline

Timeframe: 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07707193

SponsorSohag University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-07-01

Contact for this trial

Ahmed M Sayed, Assistant lecturer

+201095630589 ahmed_mahmoud4@med.sohag.edu.eg

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Schistosomiasis trials