Pulmonary Hypertension Program

Highlights

Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, members of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program and the Medical College’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine are engaged in basic science and clinical research evaluating the causes of pulmonary hypertension — research that may lead to better treatments for this disease. The Pulmonary Hypertension Program also participates in clinical research studies of new and experimental therapies that are being tested in this disease.

For more information about our research and clinical trials, including eligibility criteria, please contact us via our online form or call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666.

Current clinical studies include:

Compass II Study
This study enrolls PH patients who have been receiving therapy with sildenafil (Revatio®) for at least three months. They will then get assigned to receive either additional treatment with bosentan (Tracleer®) or placebo (a “fake” treatment pill) to test whether the combination of two therapies for PH provides additional benefit compared to single treatment. Our pulmonary hypertension program is one of only 40 programs in the world participating in this study.

Compass III Study
This study, enrolling patients with newly diagnosed PH, is designed to evaluate the diagnostic value of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart compared to the cardiac catheterization. Patients who participate will receive therapy with bosentan (Tracleer®) for at least four months. Those who are able to walk beyond a pre-established distance at the end of the four months will continue on the same therapy for other three months. Those who do not reach this predetermined distance will receive additional therapy with sildenafil (Revatio®), with the hope that the combination of the two therapies will provide additional improvement. Our pulmonary hypertension program is one of only 20 programs in the United States participating in this study.

Freedom Trial
This trial is designed to evaluate the potential benefit of an oral medication (Treprostinil/Remodulin®). Patients who participate in this study are either newly diagnosed (not receiving any treatment before enrollment) or may be receiving treatment but with inadequate response. Our pulmonary hypertension program is one of only 40 programs in the world that are participating in this study.

Investigator-initiated research conducted by our own pulmonary hypertension specialists and not supported by the pharmaceutical industry includes:

Comparison of right heart catheterization versus simultaneous right and left heart catheterization performed during the diagnostic catheterization of patients with pulmonary hypertension
Elevation of left-sided heart pressures in patients with collagen vascular disease (scleroderma) leading to impaired relaxation of the left heart muscle (diastolic dysfunction) and progressive shortness of breath
Experience with continuous subcutaneous administration of Treprostinil (Remodulin®), the largest single-center experience with this drug and delivery route in the country
Eicosenoid effects in lung vessels (basic science research)
Effects of high blood flow in lung vessels (basic science research)

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