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CORTISHOCK-P: Trial of Corticosteroids in Inflammation-Enriched Heart Failure Cardiogenic Shock
Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital
Summary
This pilot study investigates whether giving a short course of intravenous corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) alongside standard medical care can help patients recovering from heart failure-related cardiogenic shock. Heart failure-related cardiogenic shock happens when chronic heart dysfunction causes poor blood circulation and congestion throughout the body. Often, this condition triggers severe inflammation, making it harder for the heart and other organs to recover, even when temporary mechanical heart pumps are used to support blood flow. The study aims to see if reducing this inflammation with corticosteroids is safe and can help patients get better faster. Researchers will enroll 30 adult patients hospitalized with early-stage (SCAI Stage B or C) cardiogenic shock related to heart failure. To participate, patients must also show high levels of inflammation in their blood, specifically a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level of 20 mg/L or higher Participants will be randomly assigned by chance to one of two groups. One group will receive the standard of care alone. The other group will receive the standard of care plus a 7-day course of intravenous methylprednisolone. The main goal of the study is to measure the change in inflammation levels (hsCRP) over 7 days. Researchers will also monitor how well the patients' organs recover, track their need for blood pressure medications or mechanical heart pumps, and monitor for any side effects to ensure the treatment is safe
Official title: CORTISHOCK-P: A Randomized Pilot Trial of Corticosteroids as a Pharmacologic Adjunct to Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Inflammation-Enriched Heart Failure Cardiogenic Shock
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2026-07-01
Completion Date
2029-02-01
Last Updated
2026-03-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Methylprednisone
Intravenous methylprednisolone administered as an adjunctive therapy to target systemic inflammation. The dosing regimen is 80 mg IV once daily for 3 days, followed by a taper of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 4 additional days (total of 7 days). This regimen aims to provide potent early anti-inflammatory effects while minimizing fluid retention and adverse events
Standard of Care (SOC)
Routine medical care and management for heart failure-related cardiogenic shock, which may include vasoactive medications and temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) per institutional protocols.
Locations (1)
Brigham and women's hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States