Understanding Right Ventricular Heart Failure in Scleroderma and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
This observational study is being done to understand why people with scleroderma can develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs, abbreviated PAH) and a weak heart muscle (heart failure). The study will also help the investigators understand why people with PAH from an unknown cause (called idiopathic PAH, or IPAH) can also develop a weakened heart muscle. The response of the right side of the heart or right ventricle (RV) to standard PAH therapy in scleroderma-associated PAH and in IPAH will be assessed. Blood and tissue samples will be collected from research participants during participants' normal standard of care procedures. People with scleroderma-associated PAH or idiopathic cause (IPAH) who need a right heart catheterization may join this study.
• Patients 18 years or older with clinically diagnosed scleroderma or presumed/known idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.