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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1INTERVENTIONAL

A Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Empagliflozin in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

A Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Empagliflozin in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (NCT06554301) is a Phase 1 interventional studying Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, sponsored by China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if empagliflozin works to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. It will also learn about the safety of empagliflozin. The main questions it aims to answer are: Based on standard treatment, does empagliflozin reduce pulmonary artery pressure and improve cardiac function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension? What medical problems do participants have when taking empagliflozin? Researchers will compare empagliflozin to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if empagliflozin works to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Participants will: Take empagliflozin or a placebo every day for 12 weeks Visit the clinic once every 4 weeks for checkups and tests Keep a diary of their symptoms and the drug taking situation

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 72 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. At least 18 years old. 2. Sign the willing to sign a consent form form. 3. Subjects who are willing and able to comply with the requirements of prescribed visits, treatment plans, laboratory examinations and other research procedures. 4. PAH with symptoms was initially diagnosed and belonged to one of the following subgroups: A. Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH); B. hereditary pulmonary hypertension (HPAH); C drug or toxin-induced PAH, based on previous exposure to drugs, chemicals or toxins, such as fenfluramine derivatives, other appetite suppressants, toxic rapeseed oil or L- tryptophan. D. PAH is accompanied by: A) connective tissue disease B) Congenital systemic-pulmonary shunt (surgical correction must be performed at least one year before screening, and there is no or no clinically insignificant systemic-pulmonary shunt \[1.0≤ lung-systemic blood flow ratio (QP/QS)≤1.5\]), according to the opinion of the researcher. 5. Received right heart catheterization (RHC) at the time of screening or within 5 years before screening (if RHC is not performed, it will be performed during screening), which is consistent with the diagnosis of PAH and meets all the following criteria: A. mean pulmonary artery pressure (papm) \> 20mmhg (at rest) B pulmonary arteriole wedge pressure (PAWP)≤15 mmHg (if reliable PAWP data cannot be obtained, left ventricular end diastolic pressure \[LVEDP\]≤15 mmHg). C pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) \> 2.00 wood units (\> 160 dynes/sec/cm5). 6. There are symptoms of WHO/NYHA FC Grade II or III. 7. Stable PAH targeted background oral therapy. Subjects received endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) and/or phosphodiesterase inhibitor type 5 (PDE5-I) or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) agonist. Stability was defined as no change in dose or regimen within 30 days before baseline and during the duration of the study. 8. 6-minute walking distance (6 MWD) ≥ 150m. ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. At least 18 years old. 2. Sign the informed consent form. 3. Subjects who are willing and able to comply with the requirements of prescribed visits, treatment plans, laboratory examinations and other research procedures. 4. PAH with symptoms was initially diagnosed and belonged to one of the following subgroups: A. Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH); B. hereditary pulmonary hypertension (HPAH); C drug or toxin-induced PAH, based on previous exposure to drugs, chemicals or toxins, such as fenfluramine derivatives, other appetite suppressants, toxic rapeseed oil or L- tryptophan. D. PAH is accompanied by: A) connective tissue disease B) Congenital systemic-pulmonary shunt (surgical correction must be performed at least one year before screening, and there is no or no clinically insignificant systemic-pulmonary shunt \[1.0≤ lung-systemic blood flow ratio (QP/QS)≤1.5\]), according to the opinion of the researcher. 5. Received right heart catheterization (RHC) at the time of screening or within 5 years before screening (if RHC is not performed, it will be performed during screening), which is consistent with the diagnosis of PAH and meets all the following criteria: A. mean pulmonary artery pressure (papm) \> 20mmhg (at rest) B pulmonary arteriole wedge pressure (PAWP)≤15 mmHg (if reliable PAWP data cannot be obtained, left ventricular end diastolic pressure \[LVEDP\]≤15 mmHg). C pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) \> 2.00 wood units (\> 160 dynes/sec/cm5). 6. There are symptoms of WHO/NYHA FC Grade II or III. 7. Stable PAH targeted background oral therapy. Subjects received endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) and/or phosphodiesterase inhibitor type 5 (PDE5-I) or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) agonist. Stability was defined as no change in dose or regimen within 30 days before baseline and during the duration of the study. 8. 6-minute walking distance (6 MWD) ≥ 150m. 9. If the subject is taking concomitant drugs that can affect PAH (for example, calcium channel blockers, digoxin or L- arginine supplements), the dose must be kept stable for at least 30 days before the baseline visit and throughout the study. 10. If there is the possibility of pregnancy, both male and female subjects should agree to use a highly effective contraceptive method during the whole study period (from informed consent to the end of follow-up). Exclusion Criteria: * 1\) Subjects shall not have the following three or more risk factors for left ventricular dysfunction: Body mass index (BMI)≥30 kg/m2 History of systemic hypertension There is any of the following evidence to prove the history of major coronary artery disease: A coronary angiographic evidence of a history of myocardial infarction or percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery disease (at least one coronary artery stenosis \> 50%); B. Positive results of exercise provocation test and image evidence; C. previous coronary artery bypass surgery; D. stable angina pectoris; 2) Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) conducted within 180 days before or during the screening showed mild or above lung diseases. Subjects who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded: A. forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)\<60% (expected value); or B total lung volume (TLC) \< 60% of the estimated value. 3) The evidence of thromboembolic disease is confirmed by lung ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scanning or local standard diagnosis and treatment evaluation at the time of diagnosis or after diagnosis of PAH. 4\) Severe chronic liver disease (i.e. Child-pugh grade C), portal hypertension, cirrhosis or complications of cirrhosis/portal hypertension (e.g., history of varicose bleeding, history of hepatic encephalopathy). 5\) Confirm the active infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). 6\) Subjects whose alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level is more than or equal to 3 times the normal upper limit value (ULN) or whose total bilirubin is more than or equal to 2 times ULN at the time of screening. 7\) Chronic renal insufficiency at screening, which is defined as serum creatinine \> 2.5 mg/dL or requiring dialysis support. 8\) Hemoglobin concentration \< 9 g/dL during screening. 9) diabetes. 10) cardiac function grade IV (NYHA classification) 11) The subject has been treated with IV or SC prostacyclin pathway drugs (for example, epoprostol, triprostinil or iloprost) at any time before baseline (allowed to be used in pulmonary vasodilation test). 12\) The subject has pulmonary vein occlusion disease. 13) Diagnosed and/or treated with malignant tumor within 5 years before screening, but excluding localized non-metastatic basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or radical resection of cervical carcinoma in situ. 14\) At the time of screening, there was a history of alcohol or drug abuse within 6 months. 15\) Start the exercise-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program within 90 days of the screening period and/or during the study period. 16\) Participated in other interventional clinical studies within 30 days before screening. It is allowed to participate in registered or observational studies at the same time, as long as the subjects meet all other selection criteria and comply with all research process requirements. 17\) Any reason (for example, any past or intermittent diseases) that the respondent thinks may increase the risk of participating in the study or may affect the study analysis and damage the study participation or collaboration, so that the subject cannot participate in the study. 18\) Those who are known to be allergic to Engelgin or any auxiliary materials. 19) According to the researcher\'s judgment, life expectancy is less than 12 months. 20\) Pregnant or lactating women.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

empagliflozin in treatment pulmonary aerterial hypertension

On the basis of background treatment, the experimental group was given 10 mg of empagliflozin tablets orally once a day for 12 weeks.

DRUG

placebo in treatment pulmonary aerterial hypertension

On the basis of background treatment, the control group was given 10 mg of placebo tablets orally once a day for 12 weeks.

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT06554301), the sponsor (China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT06554301 clinical trial studying?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if empagliflozin works to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. It will also learn about the safety of empagliflozin. The main questions it aims to answer are: Based on standard treatment, does empagliflozin reduce pulmonary artery pressure and improve cardiac function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension? What medical problems do participants have when taking empagliflozin? Researchers will compare empagliflozin to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if empagliflozin works to treat patients wit… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT06554301?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT06554301?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT06554301. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT06554301. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.