Balloon pulmonary angioplasty combined with riociguat for the treatment of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PRACTICE study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Management of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) remains a clinical challenge. Currently, riociguat, a soluble guanylate-cyclase stimulator is recommended by international guidelines. More recently, balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) develops as an alternative treatment for inoperable CTEPH. METHOD: This study is a single-center randomized controlled trial. Subjects with inoperable CTEPH are randomized into either a BPA combined with riociguat or riociguat monotherapy group (2:1) and observed for 12 months after initiation of treatment. The primary endpoint is the change in pulmonary vascular resistance from baseline to 12 months after initiation of treatment. The secondary endpoints include 6-min walk distance (6MWD), WHO-FC, NT-proBNP, SF-36, and other hemodynamic parameters. Safety endpoints are analyzed too. DISCUSSION: This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of BPA combined with riociguat and riociguat monotherapy for inoperable CTEPH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000032403. Registered on 27 April 2020.