Evaluation of the BMPR2-Activin Signaling Pathway in Group II Pulmonary Hypertension. (BREATHE-PH)

Evaluation of the BMPR2-Activin Signaling Pathway as a Key Mediator in Group II Pulmonary Hypertension. BREATHE-PH Study

Previous data from our group showed reduced BMPR2 isoform A in pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) of valvular origin.

Focusing on dysregulation of the BMPR2-activin pathway, a key regulator of vascular homeostasis, this project uses a multimodal approach combining molecular biology, advanced cardiac imaging, and histology.

Its aim is to determine the role of the BMPR2-activin pathway in the development and regression of PH-LHD.

We will conduct a prospective observational study with 1-year follow-up in 150 heart failure patients of different etiologies undergoing hemodynamic assessment.

Clinical parameters, biomarkers, molecular profiles, and hemodynamic/echocardiographic variables will be analyzed.

A nested substudy in 40 heart transplant candidates will include thoracic CT for vascular morphometric analysis and histological correlation in explanted hearts versus healthy controls.

We will also assess reversibility of vascular remodeling one year after transplantation.

Results may redefine PH-LHD classification, enable phenotypic precision-medicine models, guide targeted therapies such as activin inhibitors, and refine transplant criteria in combined pulmonary hypertension.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Heart Failure; Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease; Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)

Detailed Description

This is a longitudinal observational study involving patients with heart failure (HF), including a substudy of advanced HF patients awaiting heart transplantation (BREATHE-CT).

The main cohort will include 150 HF patients of diverse etiologies undergoing invasive hemodynamic assessment by right heart catheterization.

Approximately 70 patients are expected to have PH-LHD and 80 will not. Eligible participants include advanced HF patients assessed for heart transplantation or ventricular assist devices, patients hospitalized for severe acute HF decompensation, and those undergoing pre-valvular intervention evaluation. The BREATHE-CT substudy will include 40 advanced HF patients selected from the main cohort and listed for heart transplantation.

Eligibility requires fulfillment of inclusion criteria and written informed consent.

Advanced HF and pulmonary hypertension classification will follow current European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

To improve representativeness, the study prioritizes inclusion of historically underrepresented groups, particularly women, given their increased risk for pulmonary hypertension.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 150

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Ana I Fernandez-Avila, PhD; Phone Number: +34650413943; Email: afernandeza.externo@salud.madrid.org
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Jorge Martinez-Solano, MD, PhD; Email: jmsolano@salud.madrid.org

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Madrid
    • Madrid, Madrid, Spain, 28007
      • Recruiting
      • Hospital GU Gregorio Marañón
      • Contact: Jorge Martinez-Solano, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +3466294110; Email: jmsolano@salud.madrid.org
      • Contact: Carlos Ortiz, MD, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study cohort will consist of 150 patients with heart failure (HF) of diverse etiologies (estimated: 70 with PH-LHD and 80 without PH-LHD) who require invasive hemodynamic evaluation by right heart catheterization (RHC).

This cohort includes patients with a clinical indication for RHC: advanced HF patients being evaluated for heart transplantation or ventricular assist devices; patients hospitalized for severe acute HF decompensation; or patients undergoing evaluation prior to surgical or percutaneous valvular intervention.

The BREATHE-CT substudy will include 40 patients with advanced HF selected from the main cohort who are listed for heart transplantation.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Older that 18 years
• Heart failled patients with clinical indication for invasive hemodynamic assessment
• Written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refulsl to sign the infomred consent
• Presence of iodinated contrast allergy
• Ineligibility for HT (for BREATHE-CT substudy)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pulmonary vascular resistence	Pulmonary vascular resistence will be assesed 12 months after inclussion	12 months
BMPR2 -activin expression	BMPR2-activine pathway will be determinaned to correlate with PH	12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon
• Collaborators: Fundacion para la Innovacion en Biomedicina (FIBMED); Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ana I Fernandez-Avila, PhD, Institoto de Investigación Gregorio Marañón; Principal Investigator: Carlos Ortiz, MD, PhD, Hospital GU Gregorio Marañón; Principal Investigator: Jorge Martinez-Solano, MD; PhD, Hospital GU Gregorio Marañón

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 17, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: microRNAs; gene expression; BMPR2; cardiac transplant; Activin; pulomnary hypertension II
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Heart Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Hypertension; Heart Failure; Hypertension, Pulmonary
• Other Study ID Numbers: BREATHE

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: The study is single-center; however, depending on the results obtained, data may be shared with investigators working in the same research field. A formal data-sharing plan will be developed and described at a later stage if deemed necessary

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No