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NCT Number: NCT07777367

Exercise Performance on Ambient Air vs. Low-Flow Liquid Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Lung Diseases

The investigators aim to study the effect of liquid oxygen therapy (4l/min, nasal) )in Swiss residents with pulmonary vascular diseases (PVD) defined as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

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Key information

Conditions

Pulmonary Vascular Disease Cardiovascular Diseases Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) Hypertension Hypertension, Pulmonary Lung Diseases Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Respiratory Tract Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Hospital Zurich

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

Participants with PVD diagnosed with precapillary PH with right heart catheterization and classified to groups 1 and 4 (PAH or CTEPH) who live in Switzerland will have 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test with and without nasal liquid oxygen therapy (LOX) approximately 4l/min via nasal cannula according to a randomized cross-over design.

The trial aims to test that the 6MWD with LOX is inferior to a 6MWD in the same participant under ambient air.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • Written informed consent
  • Patients with diagnosed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), distal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with emphysema, COPD without emphysema, or interstitial lung disease
  • Former desaturation under exercise defined as SpO2-decrease >3%
  • Treated with a stable drug therapy (with no changes for at least 14 days prior to screening)

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe hypoxemia needing supplemental oxygen therapy defined as PaO2 < 6.9 kPa
  • Inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention
  • Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, walk disability etc.

Treatment and study plan

6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test on ambient conditions

Other

6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test will be performed on ambient air according to clinical standards

6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test with supplemental oxygen (LOX)

Other

6-minute walk test(6MWT) test will be performed according to clinical standards with supplemental liquid oxygen therapy (LOX, approximately 4l/min, nasal)

Primary outcomes

  1. 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) with supplemental oxygen therapy (SOT) vs. ambient air

    Time frame: Distance will be measured at the end of 6 minutes from the 6MWT

    Change in 6MWD in meter between supplemental liquid oxygen therapy (LOX) via nasal cannula vs. ambient air

Secondary outcomes

  1. SpO2 at rest and peak 6MWD with supplemental liquid oxygen therapy (LOX) vs. ambient air

    Time frame: after 6 minutes

    Change of the arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter (SpO2) at rest and at peak 6MWD with LOX approximately 4l /min vs. ambient air

  2. Heart rate at rest and peak 6MWD with supplemental liquid oxygen therapy (LOX) vs. ambient air

    Time frame: after 6 minutes

    Change of heart rate (bpm) at rest and at peak 6MWD with LOX vs. ambient air

  3. Borg dyspnea at rest and peak 6MWT with supplemental liquid oxygen therapy (LOX) s. ambient air

    Time frame: after 6 minutes

    Change of Borg dyspnea scale (CR10, 0-10 where 10 is the worst dyspnea) at rest and at peak 6MWD with LOX vs. ambient air

  4. Borg leg fatigue scale at rest and peak 6MWD with supplemental liquid oxygen therapy (LOX) vs. ambient air

    Time frame: after 6 minutes

    Change of Borg leg fatigue scale (CR10, 0-10 where 10 is the strongest led fatugue) at rest and at peak 6MWT with LOX vs. ambient air

  5. Blood pressure at rest and peak 6MWD with supplemental liquid oxygen therapy (LOX) vs. ambient air

    Time frame: after 6 minutes

    Change of blood pressure (mmHg) at rest and at peak 6MWD with LOX vs. ambient air

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Mona Lichtblau, PD. Dr. med.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+41442552220

Silvia Ulrich, Prof. Dr. med.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+41442552220

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Silvia Ulrich Somaini

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Exercise Performance on Ambient Air vs. Commonly Prescribed Nasal Low Flow Oxygen Therapy in Patients With Exercise Induced Desaturation Due to Pulmonary Disease

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Aug 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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