Clinical Research Directory

ARDS in Children and ECMO Initiation Strategies Impact on Neurodevelopment (ASCEND)

ASCEND researchers are partnering with families of children who receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after a sudden failure of breathing named pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS). ECMO is a life support technology that uses an artificial lung outside of the body to do the lung's work. ASCEND has two objectives. The first objective is to learn more about children's abilities and quality of life among ECMO-supported children in the year after they leave the pediatric intensive care unit. The second objective is to compare short and long-term patient outcomes in two groups of children: one group managed with a mechanical ventilation protocol that reserves the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) until protocol failure to another group supported on ECMO per usual care.

Validation and Precision Treatment of Inflammatory Subphenotypes in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and life-threatening condition in intensive care units, characterized by substantial biological and clinical heterogeneity. Differences in patients' inflammatory responses, baseline immune function, and organ failure patterns contribute to variability in ARDS severity, treatment response, and clinical outcomes. Precision classification of ARDS based on biological and inflammatory characteristics may therefore be essential for improving patient outcomes. Previous analyses of randomized clinical trials have identified two reproducible inflammatory subphenotypes-"hyperinflammatory" and "hypoinflammatory"-which differ in organ dysfunction profiles, clinical trajectories, and responses to treatments such as fluid management strategies, corticosteroids, and ventilatory interventions. However, key uncertainties remain, including whether these inflammatory subphenotypes can be validated in Chinese ARDS populations, how various bedside prediction models perform in identifying these subphenotypes, and whether model-based subphenotype identification can guide individualized treatment decisions. This multicenter cohort study aims to: (1) validate inflammatory subphenotypes of ARDS using latent class analysis; (2) compare the predictive performance of existing bedside models for subphenotype identification; and (3) assess whether subphenotype assignment based on prediction models can guide individualized treatment strategies, including fluid management, PEEP titration, and corticosteroid use. In addition to these primary aims, the study may include other exploratory objectives, such as evaluating subphenotype stability over time, characterizing biological pathways associated with subphenotypes, and assessing additional treatment-response patterns to support future precision ARDS management strategies.

Trans Thoracic Manipulation of Ventilation/Perfusion: the V/Q System

The purpose of this pilot study is to measure the impact of non-invasive pneumatic manipulation of transthoracic pressure on oxygenation in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) who are on mechanical ventilator support. This will be achieved by a pneumatic Vest placed around the chest wall of consenting patients who meet inclusion criteria. The Vest is essentially a non-invasive segmental device placed upon the anterior and posterior right and left aspects of the chest wall. The researchers have the ability to inflate and deflate the chambers of the Vest to achieve preset pressures as determined by the protocol and observe the patient's physiological response. Participants will have up to four hours of intervention with the study intervention, followed by 1 hour of post-intervention observation.

Cognitive Dysfunctions Associated With Delirium in Critically-ill ARDS Patients

Early cognitive assessment of critically-ill acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with delirium using a multidimensional electrophysiological evaluation battery (mEEG) to identify and characterize the neural correlates of cognitive dysfunctions associated with delirium (vigilance, attention, semantic and lexical processing, self-processing), and to develop a prognostic evaluation of neurocognitive and psychological disorders using an innovative non-behavioral approach.

Precision Ventilation vs Standard Care for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The goal of this interventional study is to compare standard mechanical ventilation to a lung-stress oriented ventilation strategy in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Participants will be ventilated according to one of two different strategies. The main question the study hopes to answer is whether the personalized ventilation strategy helps improve survival.

Pressure Opening With Electrical Impedance Tomography

Acute lung injury and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) are characterized by lung inhomogeneity, leading to a different distribution of the tidal volume (and pressure) within the lung. The quasi-static PV curve is a useful bedside tool to set mechanical ventilation, but it reflects a global behaviour of the lung. The electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive and radiation-free tool, monitoring dynamic changes in gas distribution. Images from EIT can be divided in several regions of interest, allowing to measure regional changes in compliance. The regional derived-EIT PV curve could provide valuable information on airway closure and AOP (airway opening pressure). Recent studies suggest that AOP measured by the ventilator seems to correspond to the AOP of the lowest injured lung. The investigators will perform one pressure-volume (PV) curve with a low-flow insufflation of 5 L/min starting from 0 cmH2O to a maximal airway pressure corresponding to the plateau pressure. During the low-flow insufflation, both ventilator and EIT-derived PV curves will be recorded. All PV curves will be analysed offline by the investigator to detect complete and regional airway closures, and measure AOPs.

Nosocomial Infections in ECMO Patients

Nosocomial Infections (NI) are a common and dreadful complication for patients suffering from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Unfortunately, no study has thoroughly evaluated NI in this fragile patient cohort. Newly developed antibiotics may help manage such infections, but their pharmacokinetics (PK) during ECMO has not been evaluated. Objectives of this prospective observational multicenter pharmacological no-profit study are: 1) describe incidence, microbial etiology, and resistance patterns, and assess risk factors for NIs in a large prospective cohort of ARDS patients undergoing ECMO. 2) provide a PK analysis of ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, and cefiderocol in adult patients undergoing ECMO Incidence, microbial etiology, and antibiotic resistance patterns of confirmed NIs will be prospectively collected and analyzed. In the subgroup of patients treated with ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, or cefiderocol as per clinical practice, blood and bronchoalveolar concentration of the antibiotic will be measured, and PK modeling carried out.

FCV vs PCV in Moderate to Severe ARDS

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) and pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) in patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome on the intensive care unit. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the mechanical power during flow-controlled ventilation lower than during pressure-controlled ventilation * To gain more understanding about other physiological effects and potential benefits of flow-controlled ventilation in comparison to pressure-controlled ventilation (o.a. the end-expiratory lung volume and homogeneity of ventilation). Participants will be randomized between two ventilation mode sequences, being 90 minutes of FCV followed by 90 minutes of PCV or vice versa.

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Prognosticators in Pediatric Oncology Patients With Sepsis

The overall purpose of this protocol is to identify subacute sepsis-associated cardiac disease in pediatric patients with cancer by CMR and evaluate the CMR findings during their follow-up. This will help inform heart failure management decision making. Evidence of dysfunction or elevated T2 values may inform adjustment of afterload reduction and beta blocker administration, and elevated ECV findings will suggest the need for increased surveillance for diastolic dysfunction. Primary Objectives: (Feasibility Phase) To determine the feasibility of cardiac MRI without anesthesia in the immediate post-sepsis period in children with cancer. CMR scanning will be completed within 10 days of presentation - this will allow us to ensure that possible hemodynamic or respiratory instability and renal dysfunction has resolved prior to transport to the MRI scanner during the most acute phase of illness. (Completion Phase) To estimate the frequency of subacute sepsis-associated cardiac disease, including myocardial inflammation and dysfunction, in the post-acute phase (within 10 days of presentation) of severe sepsis in children with cancer

Safety and Efficacy Study of Inhaled Carbon Monoxide to Treat Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

This study will be a multi-center, prospective, randomized, partially double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II clinical trial of inhaled CO (iCO) for the treatment of ARDS. The trial will be conducted at 7 tertiary care medical centers including Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Duke University Hospital, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, and Duke Regional Hospital. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of inhaled carbon monoxide (iCO) for the treatment of ARDS and to examine the biologic readouts of low dose iCO therapy in patients with ARDS

Rhu-pGSN for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

BTI-203 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, Phase 2 proof-of-concept (POC) study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhu-pGSN plus standard of care (SOC) in subjects with moderate-to-severe ARDS (P/F ratio ≤150) due to pneumonia or other infections. Potential subjects hospitalized with pneumonia or other infections are to be screened within 24 hours of diagnosis of ARDS.

Comparaison of Two Prone Position Techniques on Occurence of Pressure Sores in ICU

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a diffuse inflammation of the lungs that occurs in a variety of diseases. According to the Berlin definition, ARDS is characterized by diffuse lung damage in patients with predisposing factors. Understanding the physiology of ARDS has led to improved ventilatory management, which must be protective to ensure adequate oxygenation and CO2 clearance. Prone position (PP) is a technique that can reduce mortality in patients with severe ARDS. PP results in a more homogeneous distribution of pulmonary stress and strain, helping to protect the lung against ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). It also increases the PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio, improves the pulmonary ventilation-perfusion ratio, decreases PaCO2 and promotes ventilation of the dorsal lung regions. This technique should be offered to all patients with severe ARDS for 16 consecutive hours, to improve survival and weaning success from mechanical ventilation. However, PP has adverse effects. A meta-analysis showed an increased risk of pressure sores, possibly linked to generalized acute inflammation associated with significant cytokine discharge and diffuse lesions of the vascular endothelium. PP also increased the risk of obstruction and displacement of the endotracheal tube. Final positioning in PP, (i.e., the position imposed on the patient for the duration of the PP session) varies from one ICU to another, and is rarely described in scientific articles. There are two main variants: 1. prone , with arms alongside the body 2. prone, swimmer's position The aim of our study is to show that the "swimmer" PP reduces the occurrence of stage 3 or higher pressure sores, compared with the "arms alongside the body" PP (standard care) at Day 28 post inclusion.

Non-invasive Vagal Neurostimulation (nVNS) for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress

This is a prospective, randomized, two-arm, controlled 30-day investigational pilot trial using the gammaCore Sapphire S non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) device + standard of care (SOC) in newly-hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) to prevent the progression towards immunokine storms, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe respiratory distress, and requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation, and death, when compared to SOC alone (the control arm).

Safety Study of Inhaled Carbon Monoxide to Treat Pneumonia and Sepsis-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

This study is a multi-center, randomized, partially double-blind, and placebo-controlled Phase Ib clinical trial of inhaled CO (iCO) for the treatment of sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and accuracy of a Coburn-Forster-Kane (CFK) equation-based personalized iCO dosing algorithm to achieve a target carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level of 6-8% in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS. We will also examine the biologic readouts of low dose iCO therapy in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS.

Corticosteroids in Hyperinflammatory Phenotype of Critical Illness

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether methylprednisolone improves outcomes in critically ill patients with a hyperinflammatory phenotype. It will also evaluate the safety of methylprednisolone at different doses. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does methylprednisolone improve organ function compared with placebo? * Does methylprednisolone reduce the risk of mortality within 30 days? Researchers will compare high-dose methylprednisolone (160mg/d), low-dose methylprednisolone (80mg/d), and placebo (normal saline) to evaluate effectiveness and safety. Participants will: * Receive high-dose methylprednisolone, low-dose methylprednisolone, or placebo every 12 hours for the first 3 days * Be reassessed on Day 4 based on their inflammatory status If the hyperinflammatory phenotype persists, the treatment dose will be reduced by half and continued until Day 7 or ICU discharge, whichever occurs first If the patient transitions to a hypoinflammatory phenotype, the study treatment will be discontinued * Be monitored daily in the intensive care unit for organ function, inflammatory status, and need for organ support * Be followed for up to 30 days after randomization to assess survival and recovery

Effect of Continuous Prolonged Prone Position Versus Intermittent Daily Prone Position in ARDS

Prone position (placing the patient on his abdomen) has been shown to be an effective intervention to decrease mortality in adults connected to mechanical ventilation for moderate to severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Patients may require one or more sessions of prone position. However, the optimal duration of prone sessions is unknown. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if applying prone position in prolonged sessions (\> 48 hours - prolonged prone position) is more effective than applying it in daily sessions (16 to 24 hours - intermittent prone position). The trial will also learn about the safety of prolonged prone position compared to intermittent prone position. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does prolonged prone position increase survival compared to intermittent prone position in participants with moderate to severe ARDS ? * How does prolonged prone position compare to intermittent prone position in terms of medical problems associated to prone position ? Researchers will compare prolonged versus intermittent prone position to see which approach is better to treat moderate to severe ARDS. Participants will: * Receive prone position either in prolonged (\> 48 hours) or daily (16 to 24 hours) sessions during the first 7 days * Be followed for up to 90 days to assess their clinical evolution

Using Artificial Intelligence To Improve Ventilator Settings For Intensive Care Patients

This observational study aims to determine whether an AI-assisted decision support system can improve clinical outcomes for mechanically ventilated pediatric patients (aged 1 month to 18 years) in the PICU, compared to standard care provided by medical staff. The primary question addressed is: Do patients whose ventilator parameter optimization decisions are guided by AI assistance achieve a greater number of ventilator-free days within 28 days than those managed by medical staff? By utilizing clinical data collected following tracheal intubation to generate AI-driven recommendations-and comparing these against the actual adjustments made by physicians-this study seeks to assess whether the AI-assisted decision support system can effectively improve clinical outcomes for mechanically ventilated patients in the PICU.

JUST BREATHE, Breathing Life Into Innovative Therapies for ARDS (Master Record)

This is a Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of host-directed therapeutics in hospitalized adults diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) utilizing a platform trial design. Participants will be randomized to receive either a placebo or one of the active treatments. This record describes the default procedures and analyses for all cohorts. Each specific cohort may have additional eligibility requirements, safety and efficacy procedures, or endpoints, which will be described in the corresponding intervention-specific records on clinicaltrials.gov listed below in the detailed description.

JUST BREATHE, Breathing Life Into Innovative Therapies for ARDS- Cohort B: Paridiprubart

This is a Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of host-directed therapeutics in hospitalized adults diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) utilizing a platform trial design. Cohort B: Participants will be randomized to receive either a placebo or paridiprubart. This record describes the default procedures and analyses for Cohort B. Please see NCT06703073 for information on the BP-ARDS-P2-001 Master Protocol.

JUST BREATHE, Breathing Life Into Innovative Therapies for ARDS- Cohort A: Vilobelimab

This is a Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of host-directed therapeutics in hospitalized adults diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) utilizing a platform trial design. Cohort A: Participants will be randomized to receive either a placebo or vilobelimab. This record describes the default procedures and analyses for Cohort A. Please see NCT06703073 for information on the BP-ARDS-P2-001 Master Protocol.

JUST BREATHE, Breathing Life Into Innovative Therapies for ARDS- Cohort C: Bevacizumab

This is a Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will evaluate the safety and efficacy of host-directed therapeutics in hospitalized adults diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) utilizing a platform trial design. Cohort C: Participants will be randomized to receive either a placebo or bevacizumab. This record describes the default procedures and analyses for Cohort C. Please see NCT06703073 for information on the BP-ARDS-P2-001 Master Protocol.

Nogapendekin Alfa-Inbakicept and iNKT Cells for Critically Ill Adults With Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia (With or Without Sepsis/ARDS)

This Phase 2 study tests whether adding two immune therapies - nogapendekin alfa-inbakicept (NAI) and off-the-shelf iNKT cell infusions - to standard care can safely help critically ill adults with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) (with or without sepsis/ARDS) recover. The study will give NAI by subcutaneous injection (Days 1 and 10) and one IV dose of iNKT cells (Day 3), then follow participants for 90 days.

Identification and Treatment of Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and ARDS With Protection, Paralysis, and Proning Pathway

Treatment of patients with Hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is complex. Therapies that have been shown to save the lives of patients with HRF and ARDS are available but they are not always provided. To reduce practice variation and improve adherence to evidence-informed therapies, the investigators developed the Treatment of Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and ARDS with Protection, Paralysis, and Proning (TheraPPP) Pathway. The overall objective of TheraPPP Pathway is to improve the quality of care for patients with HRF. Implementation of the pathway across Alberta will test the effectiveness and implementation of the TheraPPP Pathway.

Influence of NEP Inhibition on Vascular Leak and Inflammation (NEPi-INFLAMMATION)

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe type of lung injury that affects 10% of patients admitted to Intensive Care Units worldwide, with an unacceptably high mortality of up to 48% in those with the most severe form of the condition. It is a complex and poorly understood syndrome that results in progressive failure of the lungs. Crucially, the inflamed lungs allow fluid to leak from the circulation into the airspace, so that patients' lungs fill with fluid - "drowning from the inside". As this condition progresses, the patient typically requires increasing amounts of oxygen and eventually, support from a ventilator. To date, there are no effective treatments for ARDS that can limit, stop or repair this process. This research study is aiming to look at a naturally occurring substance produced by blood vessels, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). The investigators have evidence suggesting that CNP plays a role in maintaining the barrier provided by blood vessels that stops fluid leaking out into tissues. This is based on various studies done on CNP by the investigators research group that have established its widespread role in maintaining cells that line blood vessels and play a vital role in lungs' barrier function: the endothelium. CNP is broken down in part by an enzyme called Neutral endopeptidase and therefore, drugs that inhibit this enzyme would result in increased CNP concentration and activity. If CNP does in fact strengthen the lungs' endothelial barrier, then this class of drug may benefit patients with ARDS. The aim of this experimental medicine study is to assess the effect of using the licensed NEP inhibitor Racecadotril, in a well-established, safe model of inflammation-induced skin blisters in healthy human volunteers to determine primarily whether the fluid accumulation i.e. leak, in these blisters is reduced by treatment with this drug.