Clinical Research Directory

Predicting High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Failure Within 72 Hours Using a Physiology-Informed Dual-Domain Model at 30 Minutes

This is a single-center, ambispective observational cohort study of adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) receiving high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) as initial respiratory support. The study includes three stages. Stage 1 (retrospective derivation): the first 57 consecutive patients (May-September 2025) were retrospectively included to develop and lock a dual-domain logistic model using baseline EFI, baseline PaCO2, and 0-30 minute changes in respiratory rate (ΔRR) and SpO2 (ΔSpO2). Stage 2 (retrospective temporal validation): the later 58 patients (October 2025-March 2026) were retrospectively included, and the frozen model was directly applied without refitting; results of Stages 1 and 2 have been reported. Stage 3 (prospective validation): an independent prospective validation cohort is currently being enrolled, and the frozen model will be applied without refitting. The primary outcome is endotracheal intubation within 72 hours after HFNO initiation. This registration covers the complete study; the retrospective stages have been reported, and the prospective stage is ongoing.

INtubation With Sedation Only to Preserve Independent Respiratory Effort Trial

The INtubation with Sedation Only to Preserve Independent Respiratory Effort (INSPIRE) trial is a pragmatic, non-blinded, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial comparing the effect of intubation with sedation only (intervention group) versus intubation with sedation plus neuromuscular blockade (control group) among adults undergoing emergency tracheal intubation in the ED and ICU with regard to the outcomes of: (1) hypoxemia during intubation, (2) successful intubation on the first attempt, and (3) awake immobility and PTSD symptoms. Patients who are determined by treating clinicians to require emergency tracheal intubation and who meet eligibility criteria will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either intubation with sedation only or intubation with sedation plus neuromuscular blockade.

Research on Respiratory Support Decision-Making for Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients Based on a Physiological World Model

Mechanical ventilation is essential for ICU patients with respiratory failure, yet ventilator adjustment and weaning decisions remain experience-dependent and highly variable. Current single-point metrics such as the oxygenation index cannot distinguish true recovery from support-dependent stability-the same oxygenation level may reflect either. This study uses EHR data from 4,232 invasively ventilated ICU patients at Ruijin Hospital (2016-2026) to develop LAVENT, a deep learning-based physiological world model of respiratory dynamics. LAVENT learns the co-evolution of patient physiology and respiratory support, generates 96-hour multivariate trajectories under candidate FiO₂/PEEP settings, and compares alternative ventilation strategies within the same patient state. External validation uses the MIMIC-IV database (n = 29,899). This retrospective observational study uses only existing EHR data, with no prospective intervention or biospecimen collection.

Hyperangulated vs Macintosh Blades for Intubation With Videolaryngoscopy in ICU

Tracheal intubation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with high incidence of difficult intubation and complications. Videolaryngoscopes (VLs) devices have been proposed to improve airway management, and the use of VLs are recommended as first-line or after a first-attempt failure using direct laryngoscopy in ICU airway management algorithms. Although until relatively few years ago there were doubts about whether videolaryngoscopes had advantages over direct laryngoscopy for endotracheal intubation (ETI) in critically ill patients, two recent studies (DEVICE (1), INTUBATE (2)), and a Cochrane review (3) have confirmed that videolaryn should be used?, and what is the best blade? . There are two types of blades commonly used with videolaryngoscopes: the "Macintosh" blade with a slight curvature, and hyperangulated blades. The "Macintosh" blades have a lower angle of vision, but they have the advantage of being similar to the blades commonly used in direct laryngoscopy, making them easy to use for the person performing the ETI. Hyperangulated blades have a greater angle of vision, improving glottic visualization, especially in patients with an anterior glottis. However, the need to overcome this angulation could potentially hinder the passage of the endotracheal tube to the vocal cords. It is unknown if either blade has any advantage for intubating critically ill patients.

Hyperangulated Versus Standard Geometry Laryngoscope Blade Trial

The Hyperangulated versus Standard Geometry Laryngoscope Blade (ANGLE) Trial is a multi-center, non-blinded, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of use of a hyperangulated video laryngoscope blade versus use of a standard geometry video laryngoscope blade. Critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation in participating EDs and ICUs who meet eligibility criteria will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either intubation using a hyperangulated video laryngoscope blade or a standard geometry video laryngoscope blade. The primary outcome is the incidence of successful intubation on the first attempt. The secondary outcome is incidence of hypoxemia during the interval between induction and 2 minutes after tracheal intubation.

Tube Size Randomized Trial During Emergency Tracheal Intubation

The BREATHE trial is a parallel-group, pragmatic, randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of smaller versus larger endotracheal tubes for mechanical ventilation of critically ill adults at 7 geographically diverse centers. A total of 3,180 critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation in the ED or ICU will be enrolled. Enrolled patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a smaller endotracheal tube (a 6.5 mm endotracheal tube for patients shorter than 64 inches and a 7.0 mm endotracheal for patients at least 64 inches) or a larger endotracheal tube (a 7.5 mm endotracheal tube for patients shorter than 64 inches and a 8.0 mm endotracheal for patients at least 64 inches). Patients will be followed for 6 months after enrollment. The primary outcome will be breathlessness at 6 months. The secondary outcomes will be voice quality and swallowing at 6 months.

HERMES: Quality and Safety of Advanced Respiratory Support During Patient Transport

The HERMES Phase III study is an international, multicenter, prospective observational investigation designed to characterize the quality and safety of patient transport during advanced respiratory support. The study will enroll patients undergoing prehospital, interhospital, or intrahospital transport while receiving advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), noninvasive ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation, as determined by routine clinical practice. The study protocol will not assign respiratory-support modalities, transport strategies, or therapeutic interventions. The primary objective is to prospectively evaluate clinical, technical, organizational, and transport-related factors associated with the safe continuation of respiratory support throughout patient transport. Data collection will include patient characteristics, respiratory-support modality and settings, transport characteristics, physiologic monitoring, transport-team composition, oxygen and electrical power resources, equipment-related events, interruptions or modifications of respiratory support, clinical deterioration, rescue interventions, escalation of respiratory support, and other transport-associated adverse events. HERMES Phase III constitutes the prospective multicenter component of a broader research program that previously included an international survey of respiratory-support transport practices and an exploratory prospective feasibility evaluation of portable external power during ambulance transport.

Impact of Early Enteral vs. Parenteral Nutrition on Mortality in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation and Catecholamines

The purpose of this study is to assess the hypothesis that, as compared to early intravenous feeding, early nutrition via the enteral route is associated with reduced Day 28-mortality in critically ill patients treated with mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drug.

ICU-SUCCEED for Survivors of Acute Respiratory Failure and Their Caregivers

This study will investigate whether a family-centered intervention that has been adapted for patients with critical illness and their caregivers is possible, acceptable, and helpful

Diaphragm Response in Elderly for Acute Monitoring

Acute dyspnea is a common cause of emergency department admissions among elderly patients. Acute respiratory failure is often multifactorial and requires rapid and reliable evaluation. Currently, management relies on clinical, biological, and radiological assessments, but diaphragmatic ultrasound could provide an additional tool for real-time respiratory function evaluation. This study aims to integrate this non-invasive technology into the initial assessment of patients to improve care pathways. Hypothesis : Diaphragmatic ultrasound enables reliable assessment of respiratory function and can predict the need for mechanical ventilation.

Effect of Ketamine and Etomidate During RSI on Long Term Outcomes

The RSI-LTO study collects long-term outcomes from the RSI trial (NCT05277896). One-third of adults who are intubated in the ED or ICU experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a psychiatric disorder triggered by a "shocking, scary, or dangerous event." Critical illness, tracheal intubation, and mechanical ventilation can be traumatic and distressing events. Patients may recall the intubation procedure, the feeling of the breathing tube in their throat, or being unable to move ("paralyzed"). While on the breathing machine, patients may experience delirium, frightening hallucinations, and delusions. Patients with PTSD after critical illness can be hypervigilant, anxious, and troubled by intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks that last months to years after critical illness and that PTSD negatively impacts patients' marriages, work, and quality of life and increases patients' risk of depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and suicide. Ketamine may prevent PTSD symptoms by blocking the pathways in the brain's glutaminergic system that are responsible for the formation of traumatic memories In outpatients with chronic PTSD, a single dose of ketamine has been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms for up to 2 weeks. Even a modest reduction in PTSD would translate into tens of thousands of fewer cases of PTSD each year, more cases of PTSD each year than any other medical intervention evaluated to date.

Eduction in ImmunoSuppressive Regimen Among Kidney Transplant Recipients Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for Septic Shock and/or Acute Respiratory Failure

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage chronic kidney disease. Kidney transplantation is at the first rank of solid organ transplantation in France, with 3,376 grafts performed in 2022. Immunosuppressive therapy, required to prevent graft rejection, exposes graft recipients to complications related to decreased immunity, including opportunistic infections and neoplastic complications. After the earlt post-transplantation period, up to 10% of kidney transplant recipients will require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). The main reasons for admission are septic shock and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. ICU stay has a significant impact on these patients with a mortality rate reaching 40%, that remains increased even after ICU discharge. Furthermore, an impact on graft function has been demonstrated, with deterioration of graft function in 1/3 of patients, and among those, up to one in two will require resumption of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Although the occurrence of septic shock or acute respiratory failure related to an infection is more common and severe, the optimal management strategy for immunosuppressors is not defined in kidney transplant recipients admitted to the ICU in those settings. Maintain a high level of immunosuppressive therapies may hinder the recovery from the acute critical condition. Furthermore, these treatments have a narrow therapeutic index; for instance, the management of calcineurin inhibitors is challenging in the ICU due to pharmacodynamic changes associated with the acute situation (distribution volume, organ failure) and the numerous potential drug interactions that carry inherent risks of overdose. the investigators hypothesize that a reduction in the level of immunosuppressive treatments could promote recovery in kidney transplant recipients admitted to the ICU for septic shock and/or acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, without adversely affecting the risk of rejection or long-term renal prognosis.

Nutritional Intake in Patients on Noninvasive Ventilation: a Prospective Observational Study

The primary objective is to quantify the caloric and protein intake in adult participants with acute respiratory failure who start a noninvasive ventilation treatment. The main question is: \- Are participants meeting their caloric and protein target during noninvasive ventilation treatment? Participants will complete a five-day food diary collection starting from the initiation of noninvasive ventilation treatment.

ARrest RESpiraTory Failure From PNEUMONIA

This research study seeks to establish the effectiveness of a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a beta agonist compared to placebo for the prevention of acute respiratory failure (ARF) in hospitalized patients with pneumonia and hypoxemia.

Virtual Reality in ICU - PARTNER

This project is designed to have patients participate in a virtual environment with various tasks such as breathing exercises, games to help the brain, and techniques that promote relaxation while hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The participation in research will last about 5 days and take about 15 to 45 minutes each day.

Simulation Trial of Telemedical Support for Paramedics

In the United States, the current standard of prehospital (i.e. outside of hospitals) emergency care for children with life-threatening illnesses in the community includes remote physician support for paramedics providing life-saving therapy while transporting the child to the hospital. Most prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) agencies use radio-based (audio only) communication between paramedics and physicians to augment this care. However, this communication strategy is inherently limited as the remote physician cannot visualize the patient for accurate assessment and to direct treatment. The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate whether use of a 2-way audiovisual connection with a pediatric emergency medicine expert (intervention = "telemedical support") will improve the quality of care provided by paramedics to infant simulator mannequins with life threatening illness (respiratory failure). Paramedics receiving real-time telemedical support by a pediatric expert may provide better care due to decreased cognitive burden, critical action checking, protocol verification, and error correction. Because real pediatric life-threatening illnesses are rare, high stakes events and involve a vulnerable population (children), this RCT will test the effect of the intervention on paramedic performance in simulated cases of pediatric medical emergencies. The two specific aims for this research are: * Aim 1: To test the intervention efficacy by determining if there is a measurable difference in the frequency of serious safety events between study groups * Aim 2: To compare two safety event detection methods, medical record review, and video review

Exhaled Breath Condensate Analysis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Mechanically ventilated intensive care patients will be sampled for a small amount of exhaled breath condensate from the ventilator circuit and for venous blood. Proteomic analysis of the exhaled breath condensate will be performed using mass spectrometry and in the blood sample, corresponding changes in the DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites will be studied. Resulting profiles will be correlated with routinely monitored parameters in order to identify patterns corresponding to various pathologies in order to enable their early detection.

Ultrasound to Evaluate Failure of Liberation From Mechanical Ventilation

This study will evaluate the heart, lungs and diaphragm of patients who fail a trial of spontaneous breathing to determine the physiological mechanism of weaning failure.

Comparing High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen and Noninvasive Ventilation to Standard Oxygenation in Non-selected ICU Patients Admitted for Hypoxemic ARF

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether one of the two oxygenation or ventilation strategies (NIV and/or HFNO) is superior to standard oxygen to reduce 28-day mortality rate in hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF) patients.

Examination of Personalized SpO2 Targets

Mechanical ventilation involves titrating the fraction of inspired oxygen to maintain arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2). The SpO2 target that results in the best outcomes for critically ill adults has historically been unknown. Randomized trials comparing use of a higher SpO2 target (96-100%) vs a lower SpO2 target (88-92%) have not found an average treatment effect among patients overall. However, the optimal SpO2 target may differ for patients with different characteristics. Recently, data from randomized trials of SpO2 targets were used to derive and validate a statistical model that predicts which SpO2 target will result in the best outcomes for an individual patient based on his or her unique characteristics (personalized SpO2 target). This statistical model has been incorporated into the electronic health record at Vanderbilt such that, for each patient receiving mechanical ventilation in the medical intensive care unit, information on which SpO2 target is predicted to result in the best outcome for the patient can be made available to clinicians. However, the use of personalized SpO2 targets for critically ill adults receiving mechanical ventilation has never been examined in a randomized trial and whether using such a personalized SpO2 target in clinical care can improve patient outcomes remains unknown. This randomized trial will examine the effect of using information on the SpO2 target that is predicted to be best for a patient based on his or her unique characteristics (personalized SpO2 target) versus usual care.

Global Physiotherapy in ICU Patients With High Risk Extubation Failure

This study aims to compare care provided by physiotherapists, combining respiratory care and early rehabilitation in intensive care unit, with standard care on the rate of acute respiratory failure within 7 days after extubation, in patients with high risk of extubation failure.

Waveform Capnography Compared to Colorimetric Carbon Dioxide Detection During Tracheal Intubation of Critically Ill Adults

This study will compare the sensitivity and specificity of waveform capnography versus colorimetric carbon dioxide detection to identify tracheal placement of the endotracheal tube during intubation of critically ill adults.

The Maximizing Extubation Outcomes Through Educational and Organizational Research (METEOR) Trial

The METEOR Trial will compare four implementation strategies-traditional online education, protocol-directed care, interprofessional education, and a combination of protocol-directed care and interprofessional education-to test the hypotheses that interprofessional education is superior to traditional online education as an implementation strategy in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the benefits of interprofessional education are increased when interprofessional education is paired with a clinical protocol. Additionally, the trial will also test the hypothesis that preventive post-extubation NIV for high-risk patients and preventive post-extubation HFNC for low-risk patients are both superior to current clinical practice (i.e., conventional post-extubation oxygen therapy).

Brain-lung Interaction During Acute Respiratory Failure

Acute hypoxemic de novo respiratory failure (AHRF) is a common cause of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Its main cause is community-acquired pneumonia. Prevention of intubation relies, among other things, on high-flow nasal canulae (HFNC). However, approximately 40% of patients are intubated despite HFNC. Our team has developed measurements derived from electroencephalograms (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) that enable the study of brain-ventilation interactions. To date, these tools have been studied exclusively in intubated patients. the investigators now wish to study them in non-intubated patients. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the brain and lungs in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and for whom the attending physician has decided to initiate HFNC. Before and one hour after the introduction of HFNC, electroencephalogram (EEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and electromyogram (EMG) of the Scalen muscles will be collected. From these recordings, the following variables will be collected: 1) The density of the gamma (30-100 Hz), beta (13-30 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), and delta (0.5-4 Hz) frequency spectrum of the EEG in each of the following right and left cortical regions: medial region of the prefrontal cortex, anterior region of the cingulate gyrus, posterior region of the cingulate gyrus, insula, somatosensory cortex, angular gyrus, lateral prefrontal cortex, and supplementary motor area; 2) Connectivity between these regions for each frequency spectrum; 3) Pre-inspiratory potential; 4) Rieman classifier; 5) Coherence and Granger causality between each frequency spectrum and the scalene muscles EMG. These variables will be compared before and 1 hour after initiation of HFNC and between patients who will be intubated because of HFNC failure and those who will not.