Aparna Balasubramanian, MD, MHS

Research Project:
Phenotyping COPD-PH with Measures of Ventilation Heterogeneity

Grant Awarded:

Innovation Award

Research Topics:

clinical research
epidemiology
imaging radiology

Research Diseases:

COPD
emphysema
pulmonary hypertension

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a disease defined by the lung’s uneven ability to exhale, is often complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH is high blood pressure in the lungs. Up to 39% of all COPD patients develop PH (COPD-PH), and once they do, their symptoms and life expectancy become much worse. Unfortunately, there are no approved therapies for PH in COPD because current PH therapies can worsen the patient’s uneven airflow. Despite that, in certain expert centers, providers are compassionately prescribing off-label therapies to treat COPD-PH. This study will use specialized breathing tests (oscillometry and multiple breath washout) and imaging to measure changes in airflow in patients receiving PH therapy. We are working to understand whether that can help define which individuals with COPD receive benefit from PH therapy without experiencing harm.

Page last updated: October 8, 2026

Aparna Balasubramanian, MD, MHS

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