AHN Cardiology Department at Allegheny General Hospital Launches Clinical Trial Investigating New Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

AGH is Currently the Only Participating Study Site in Tri-State Area

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardiovascular disease specialists at Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Allegheny General Hospital have become the first in the region to join a clinical trial evaluating a new medical therapy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

PAH is a form of high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs responsible for circulating non-oxygenated blood through the pulmonary system. It's a serious, progressive disease that can lead to heart failure and death if not managed properly.

AHN is the only health system in the tri-state area currently enrolling patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, sponsored by Novartis, exploring the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of an investigational drug known as LTP001, which targets and blocks a protein created in the body that's believed to be a cause of PAH.

The study is being led locally by Hayah Kassis-George, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at AHN who specializes in pulmonary hypertension.

"We look forward to offering qualifying patients access to this important clinical trial, as those diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension are often left without many therapeutic options outside of symptom management," said Dr. Kassis-George.

In patients with PAH, the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood through the right ventricle (pulmonary system) are narrowed and/or thickened, which causes the heart to work much harder. This work places strain on the right side of the heart, leading to enlargement and, in severe cases, heart failure.

The investigational medicine is believed to target a protein that plays a key role in the abnormal thickening of the pulmonary system's arteries. The hope is that by targeting this pathway, the therapy may not only lower pulmonary blood pressure but also slow or halt disease progression entirely, said Dr. Kassis-George.

Between 500 and 1,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with PAH annually, and the most common demographic is women aged 30-60 years old. Common symptoms associated with PAH include shortness of breath, especially with activity; fatigue; chest pain or tightening; and swelling in the stomach, legs, or ankles.

"Pulmonary hypertension can be especially challenging to diagnose, as many patients present as otherwise healthy, younger adults," said Amresh Raina, MD, cardiologist, and medical director of AHN's Pulmonary Hypertension division. "While there are current pharmacological therapies on the market, most are designed to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow rather than reverse damage to the pulmonary arteries by looking at the original cause."

In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to alleviate symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.

AHN AGH is one of the select medical institutions in the country that performs pulmonary thrombectomy (PTE) regularly, a highly complex procedure indicated to treat a serious, life-threatening lung condition called chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

During the PTE procedure, cardiothoracic surgeons remove blood clots, scar, and inflamed tissue within the pulmonary arteries; a process that can span up to 10 hours in the operating room.

In June 2025, AHN announced the successful completion of its 100th CTEPH procedure led by Candice Lee, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon at AHN AGH.

AHN AGH is one of just four designated Pulmonary Hypertension Care Centers in Pennsylvania, recognized for its leading multidisciplinary teams and comprehensive care. PH patients benefit from advanced diagnostics, specialized medical and surgical therapies, lifestyle and nutrition support, and access to the latest clinical trials in the industry.

"Participation in clinical trials is a vital part of delivering leading-edge care," Dr. Kassis-George said. "We are proud to bring this opportunity to patients in Pennsylvania and to contribute to research that may shape the future of PAH treatment."

To see if you may be eligible for enrollment, call 412-359-4554. To learn more about AHN, visit ahn.org.

SOURCE Allegheny Health Network