Pulmonary Hypertension Center

The Liu Center for the Study and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension currently sees about 250 patients a year with pulmonary hypertension. Under the direction of Dr. Ronald Oudiz, the Liu Center has made invaluable contributions in improving our understanding of the complex pathophysiology that is responsible for the multiple different forms of pulmonary hypertension.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PULMONARY HYPERTENSION CENTER

There are currently projects under way using cardiopulmonary exercise testing to screen patients at high risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension, including those with heritable disorders and autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma. About 100-150 cardiopulmonary exercise tests are performed on these patients yearly. On their respiratory physiology rotation, our fellows work closely with Dr. Oudiz in the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic.

Research Description

Dr. Oudiz is a specialist in cardiovascular disease, with particular focus on pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. He has participated in more than 100 clinical trials of novel drugs and modalities to treat pulmonary vascular disease. Dr. Oudiz’ area of interest within pulmonary vascular disease is heart and lung function during exercise, and using measurements of cardiopulmonary gas exchange to evaluate and manage patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Research Interests
Clinical and Outcomes Research
Medical Devices
Vascular Disease and Hypertension

Recent and/or Significant Publications

1. Agarwal MA, Shah M, Patel B, Nolan VG, Reed GL, Oudiz RJ, Choudhary G, Maron BA. Association between Pulmonary Hypertension and Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Sickle Cell Disease Patients. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Aug 15; 198(4): 534–537.
2. Shapiro S, Torres F, Feldman J, Keogh A, Allard M, Blair C, Gillies H, Tislow J, Oudiz RJ. Clinical and hemodynamic improvements after adding ambrisentan to background PDE5i therapy in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension exhibiting a suboptimal therapeutic response (ATHENA-1). Respir Med. 2017 May;126:84-92.
3. Oudiz R, Agarwal M, Rischard F, De Marco T. An advanced protocol-driven transition from parenteral prostanoids to inhaled trepostinil in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulm Circ. 2016 Dec;6(4):532-538.
4. Hoeper MM, McLaughlin VV, Barberá JA, Frost AE, Ghofrani HA, Peacock AJ, Simonneau G, Rosenkranz S, Oudiz RJ, White RJ, Miller KL, Langley J, Harris JHN, Blair C, Rubin LJ, Vachiery JL. Initial combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil and mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a secondary analysis of the results from the randomised, controlled AMBITION study. Lancet Respir Med. 2016 Nov;4(11):894-901.
5. Galiè N, Barberà JA, Frost AE, Ghofrani HA, Hoeper MM, McLaughlin VV, Peacock AJ, Simonneau G, Vachiery JL, Grünig E, Oudiz RJ, Vonk-Noordegraaf A, White RJ, Blair C, Gillies H, Miller KL, Harris JH, Langley J, Rubin LJ; AMBITION Investigators. Initial Use of Ambrisentan plus Tadalafil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. N Engl J Med. 2015 Aug 27;373(9):834-44.