Clinical Research Directory

Nitric Oxide for Reduced Intensive Support in Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Cardiac surgery is a procedure that is commonly performed worldwide. Despite these technological advances, cardiac surgery remains a high-risk surgery. Among post-operative complications, acute kidney injury, respiratory failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke as well as cognitive dysfunction are significant causes of mortality in patients undergoing and following cardiac surgery. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) therapy as a selective pulmonary vasodilator in cardiac surgery has been one of the most significant pharmacological advances in managing pulmonary hemodynamics and life threatening right ventricular dysfunction and failure. In addition, newer applications show greater promise of inhaled NO as a therapy in the area of cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury and ischemia reperfusion. However, this remarkable expectation to inhaled NO has experienced a roller-coaster ride with high hopes and nearly universal demonstration of physiological benefits but disappointing translation of these benefits to harder clinical outcomes, like mortality. Most of our understanding on the iNO field in cardiac surgery stems from small observational or single center randomized trials, which failed to ascertain strong evidence base. As a consequence, there are only week clinical practice guidelines on the field and only European expert opinion for the use of iNO in routine and more specialized cardiac surgery. There is need for a large multicenter randomized controlled study to confirm the administration of iNO as an effective weapon for the battle against life threatening complication in high risk cardiac surgical patients. In a previous meta analysis with 27 studies included, we demonstrated that inhaled nitric oxide (NO) could reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and reducing biomarkers of organ injury and clinical signs of organ dysfunction in cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) , but had no significance in the ICU stay, hospital stay, and mortality. This may be attributed to the small sample size of the most included studies (of the 27 studies included, 20 studies with sample size less than 100) and heterogeneity in timing, dosage and duration of iNO administration. Well-designed, large-scale, multicenter clinical trials are needed to further explore the effect of iNO in improving postoperative prognosis in cardiovascular surgical patients. We are planning a large multicenter controlled randomized trial to demonstrate that inhaled nitric oxide can reduce composite outcome of death and Major Adverse Events (MAEs), including need for intensive supports due to heart failure, low cardiac output sydrome, or renal failure, respiratory failure, etc., and myocardial infarction, stroke, and sepsis at 30 days after surgery from 20% to 16% in patient undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. If the hypothesis had been proved and validated, the results of this study can provide strong evidence for guidelines to facilitate the routine use of iNO in all cardiopulmonary bypass assisted cardiac procedures with 31,800 postoperative outcomes improved per year in US and in China.

Pulmonary Artery Catheters in Cardiac Surgery

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether avoiding a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC), a type of invasive monitoring tool, is no worse than using one in adults undergoing open heart surgery. The main questions it will answer are: 1. Does avoiding routine PAC use lead to recovery that is no worse than routine PAC use, measured by days alive and at home during the first 30 days after surgery? 2. How do the 2 strategies compare for kidney injury, major complications, survival, disability-free survival, quality of life, and healthcare use? Researchers will compare routine PAC use with no routine PAC use (using a standard central venous catheter instead) to see whether patients recover as well without a PAC. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to have either a PAC or no PAC at the start of their surgery Receive usual care from their treating team Be followed up at about 30 days and 180 days after surgery, mainly by telephone and review of medical records No extra in-person study visits or additional tests are required as part of this trial.

CARE Qualitative Study

Over 30,000 people have heart surgery in the UK every year. Heart surgery is safe, but around 1 in 5 people having heart surgery will be readmitted to hospital in the year after their operation. There is no research that explains why they come back into hospital. It may be because they have a complication from the heart surgery, such as an irregular heart rhythm. Or it may be because they have other health problems which the heart surgery has made worse. Researchers want to find out what care is provided to people after heart surgery and what participants and healthcare staff think should be offered to prevent people coming back to hospital. The overall aim of this Programme Development Grant is to undertake preparatory work that will allow researchers to identify the best approach to improve care after hospital discharge for people having heart surgery.

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Preventing Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, leading to longer hospital stays and worse outcomes. Effective preventive therapies are lacking. This randomized controlled trial investigates whether transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)-a non-invasive ear stimulation technique-can reduce AKI after cardiac surgery. A total of 152 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass will be randomly assigned to receive either taVNS or sham stimulation. The intervention begins before surgery and continues daily through postoperative day 5. The primary outcome is the incidence of AKI within 7 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include AKI severity, need for dialysis, kidney function recovery, complications, and inflammatory biomarkers. This study is approved by the institutional ethics committee. All participants will provide written informed consent.

Hydroxyethyl Starch Versus Crystalloid and Postoperative Major Adverse Kidney Complications

This trial aims to compare two intraoperative fluids, namely hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and balanced crystalloids in terms of major adverse kidney events after cardiac surgery. Indications for the study fluids administarion include preload augmentation and intravascular volume replacement during cardiac surgery.

Amino Acid Infusion in Cardiac Surgery

The goal of this study is to see if an infusion of amino acids given to adult male and female patients during cardiac surgery can help prevent acute kidney injury that commonly occurs when patients undergo cardiac surgery needing cardiopulmonary bypass. The main question the study aims to answer is if a short infusion of amino acids given to study participants during their scheduled heart surgery can decrease rates of acute kidney injury - which will be measured by biological markers of kidney injury in the urine. The study will be conducted in 2 phases. Participants in the first phase will receive the current standard of anesthetic care for patients having heart surgery and markers of acute kidney injury will be measured before and after their surgery. Participants in the second group will receive the anesthetic standard of care plus a short infusion of amino acids during their surgery. They will also have markers of kidney injury measured before and after their surgery. This study is based on prior studies that showed amino acid infusions are protective against kidney injury; however, these past studies did not look at markers of kidney injury in the urine.

Validation and Feasibility of Noninvasive Oxygen Delivery Index Monitoring in Cardiac Surgery Patients

This study will establish the feasibility and preliminary validity of real-time oxygen delivery index (DO₂i) monitoring using noninvasive hemoglobin (SpHb, Masimo) and minimally invasive cardiac output (FloTrac, Edwards) in cardiac surgery patients.

The Impact of Multiple Antihypertensive Therapy on Post-Induction Hypotension Burden in Cardiac Surgery Patients

This study aims to investigate the impact of multiple preoperative antihyperstensive drug use on the burden of post-induction hypotension (PIH) in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. The researchers will observe whether the combination of different antihypertensive classes (such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers) leads to a higher incidence and severity of blood pressure drops and increased need for vasoactive support during the period between anesthesia induction and surgical incision.

Parasternal vs. Combined Parasternal-Serratus Block in Cardiac Surgery

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of parasternal intercostal plane block (PIPB) alone versus the combination of parasternal intercostal plane block and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery via sternotomy. Seventy patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group A will receive bilateral PIPB, while Group B will receive bilateral PIPB combined with unilateral SAPB on the side of chest drain placement. Postoperative pain will be assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and during movement over the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include time to extubation, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and time to mobilization. The study is designed as a prospective, single-center, single-blind trial conducted at Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. We hypothesize that the combined block technique will provide superior analgesia, reduce opioid consumption, and improve recovery parameters compared to PIPB alone

LSALT Peptide for Prevention or Attenuation of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Cardiac Surgery

To evaluate the percentage of subjects with AKI within 7 days following on-pump cardiac surgery defined by the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) criteria: 1. Increase in baseline (pre-surgery) serum creatinine (SCr) by ≥26.5 μmol/L (≥0.3 mg/dL) within 7 days; OR 2. Increase in baseline SCr to ≥1.5 times baseline, which is known or presumed to have occurred within the first 7 days following surgery; OR 3. Urine output \< 0.5 mL/kg/h for \>6 hours.

Influence of Lung Volume Optimization Maneuver on Cardiac Output and Lung Compliance in Ventilated Children With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Surgical Repair

The aim of this randomized interventional multi-center clinical trial is to determine whether a standardized lung volume optimization maneuver (LVOM), including PEEP titration, improves outcomes in children undergoing biventricular repair for congenital heart disease (CHD) with cardiopulmonary bypass. The primary hypothesis is that optimizing end-expiratory lung volume through a standardized PEEP titration maneuver improves cardiac performance and lung function. Secondary objectives are to evaluate whether this strategy reduces duration of mechanical ventilation, improves hemodynamics and ventilation-perfusion matching, and decreases the need for vasopressor support.

Investigation of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ketamine in Cardiac Surgery

Background: The inflammatory response following cardiac surgery is known to contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Neutrophils and inflammatory mediators play a critical role in the pathogenesis of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative ketamine administration on the inflammatory response in patients undergoing cardiac surgery using routinely employed immuno-inflammatory parameters in clinical practice. Methods: After randomization, patients were divided into two groups: the ketamine group and the control group. Following admission to the operating room, standard monitoring and anesthesia induction were performed. In addition to the control group, patients in the ketamine group received 1 mg/kg ketamine during induction and a continuous intravenous infusion of 2.4 mg/kg/h ketamine for maintenance. Immuno-inflammatory parameters were assessed using routine blood tests obtained preoperatively and on postoperative day 1. These parameters included leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR); platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR); NLR index; delta NLR; ΔPLR; PLR index; systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI); systemic immune-inflammation index (SII); and C-reactive protein (CRP), ΔCRP, and CRP index. In addition, patients' pain scores within the first 24 hours following postoperative extubation, as well as hospital mortality and morbidity rates, were evaluated.

Low-dose Dexmedetomidine and Postoperative Delirium After Cardiac Surgery

Delirium is an acutely occurred and fluctuating cerebral dysfunction characterized with inattention, altered consciousness, cognitive decline and/or abnormal perception. It is common in the elderly after cardiac surgery and is associated with worse outcomes. Causes leading to delirium are multifactorial but sleep disturbances remains an important one. In previous studies, sedative-dose dexmedetomidine improves sleep quality in ICU patients with mechanical ventilation; and low-dose dexmedetomidine improves sleep quality in postoperative patients without mechanical ventilation. In recent studies of elderly after noncardiac surgery, night-time infusion of low-dose dexmedetomidine reduces delirium and improves 2-year survival. The investigators hypothesize that, for elderly patients after cardiac surgery, night-time infusion of dexmedetomidine may also improve sleep quality, reduce delirium development and improve 2-year survival.

Effect of Hyperoxia or Hypoxemia on the Incidence of Delirium in Patients After Cardiac Surgery

Our goal was to study the effect of hyperoxia or hypoxemia on the incidence of delirium in patients after cardiac surgery.

Biological and Clinical Relevance of Quantra Viscoelastic Hemostatic Assay in Hemorrhagic Cardiac Surgery

The goal of this observational study is to assess the correlation between Quantra viscoelastometric assay and laboratory hemostasis biology in a cardiac surgery cohort presenting with acute hemorrhage in the operating room. The main questions it aims to answer are: * is Quantra a valuable surrogate for hemostasis biology in the setting of bleeding cardiac surgery? * are Quantra parameters well correlated with tranfusion thresholds in the setting of bleeding cardiac surgery?

Precision Analgesia for Cardiac Surgery

The proposed research is an important extension of an ongoing perioperative personalized analgesia and intravenous opioid pharmacogenetic research. This research focuses on two of the most commonly used oral opioid analgesics, oxycodone, and methadone in elderly adults undergoing cardiac surgery.

Long-term Outcomes Sub-Study of Preoperative Combined Iron Therapy

This is a sub-study of the Preoperative Combined Iron Therapy trail in which some participants will be additionally randomized to combined iron supplementation or standarded treatment control to evaluate the impact on long-term outcomes.

Influence of Personalized Lung Volume Optimization Maneuver on Lung Function and Cardiac Performance in Children

The goal of this randomized interventional clinical trial is to learn if a standardized lung volume optimization maneuver (LVOM) is beneficial in 1. study) children undergoing biventricular repair of their congenital heart disease (CHD) with cardiopulmonary bypass and 2. study) in children with severe respiratory failure at risk for or need for ECMO. The main questions it aims to answer are: Main hypotheses of CHD study: Does a standardized PEEP-Titration maneuver, to optimize end-expiratory lung volume improve: * cardiac performance * lung function Does it make a difference in: * length of ventilation * ventilation/perfusion mismatch of the lung * need for vasopressor support? Main hypotheses of ECMO study: Does a LVOM in children/infants with severe respiratory failure /ARDS * improve lung compliance and gas exchange * facilitate lung protective ventilation according to PALICC-2 guidelines * improve lung aeration and V/Q-matching assessed with EIT Does it make a difference in * need for ECMO * duration of ECMO runs * hemodynamics stability

The Role of Neuroinflammation on Neurocognitive Outcome in Cardiac Surgery

RATIONALE: Postoperative cognitive changes are common after cardiac surgery and can be categorised into three main types: postoperative delirium (POD), delayed neurocognitive recovery (DNCR) and postoperative neurocognitive disorder (PNCD). DNCR is diagnosed until postoperative day 30 and PNCD is diagnosed at least 30 days after the operation. Both conditions can be mild or major, and can affect the quality of life of these patients. The incidence of PNCD in cardiac surgery is around 40%. Despite this high incidence, screening for PNCD is absent in current postoperative care since the diagnosis of PNCD is difficult and very time intensive. Furthermore, the underlying pathogenesis is incompletely understood. The identification of a biomarker and/or validated short diagnostic instrument would be of paramount importance to easily identify patients at risk, or to diagnose patients with PNCD in order to identify therapeutical pathways for this disease. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this prospective clinical trial is to evaluate the performance of the short NPA and/or biochemical markers for the diagnosis of DNCR and PNCD in cardiac surgery patients aged 60 years or older. STUDY DESIGN: Single-centre interventional observational study STUDY INTERVENTIONS: Patients will undergo a neurophysiological assessment (NPA) pre-operatively and at two timepoints post-operatively, namely 6 (+/-1) days and 40 (+/- 10) days after surgery. During the stay at the intensive care unit, they will be screened daily for delirium, using the CAM-ICU and 3D-CAM. To evaluate whether the development of DNCR or POD has an important effect on quality of recovery , the quality of recovery scale 15 (QOR-15), muscle strength (handgrip strength) and the Chalder fatigue score will be scored post-operative (postop day 1, 3 and 5). To evaluate whether PNCD has an effect on quality of live the EQ5D5L score will be measured at 40 (+/- 10) days after surgery, compared to preoperative values. On several time points, blood samples will be drawn to measure markers of neuroinflammation. The time points will be preoperatively, at the moment of arrival on ICU, postoperative day 1, 2 and 3, if still on ICU. Two repeat blood sample will be taken at the moment of NPA performed after 6 (+/- 1) days and 40 (+/- 10) days after surgery, if the patient is willing (not obligatory). STUDY POPULATION: Patients aged 60 years or older who are scheduled for cardiac surgery. Inclusion criteria: * aged 60 years or older; * scheduled for cardiac surgery. Exclusion criteria: * dementia, as diagnosed by a neurologist; * urgent, not elective surgery. MAIN STUDY ENDPOINTS: Primary outcome PNCD defined as a decline of \> 1 SD on \> 2 tests in one or more cognitive domains or a decline of \> 1 SD on total cognitive domain score. Secondary outcomes Postoperative delirium - CAM-ICU will be evaluated twice daily (morning and evening) on every day when the patient is awake (not intubated) on the ICU. This is standard of care and is part of the routine clinical care in the hospital. Furthermore, once daily a 3D-CAM will be performed on day 1, 3 and 5. Quality of recovery * QOR-15, a validated measurement of quality of recovery in the short term postoperative recovery, will be evaluated pre-operatively and postoperatively day 1, 3 and 5. * EQ5D5L, a validated measurement of quality of recovery in the long term postoperative recovery, will be evaluated preoperatively and at the moment of the third NPA measurement. * Postoperative muscle function (upper extremity, by hand grip strength) on day 1, 3 and 5 after surgery and at the moment of the second and third NPA measurement (being day 6 (+/-1) and day 40 (+/-10) postoperatively), as compared to preoperative values. * Chalder Fatigue questionnaire on day 1, 3 and day 5 and on the second and third NPA measurement, as compared to preoperative. Biochemical analysis \- Blood samples will be drawn for analysis before induction of anaesthesia (preoperatively), at the end of the operation (immediately postoperatively on arrival in ICU), on day 1, 2 and 3 postoperatively (if still at the ICU) and at the time of the postoperative follow-up visits with the NPA testing (day 6 (+/-1) and day 40 (+/-10) days post-surgery). At each time point, markers of neuroinflammation and -degeneration will be determined. Tertiary outcomes * Length of CPB * Duration of mechanical ventilation * Administered anaesthetic drugs during surgery * Transfusion need * Length of ICU stay (days) * Length of in-hospital stay (days) * Readmission to ICU or hospital within 28 days after surgery * Cardiovascular outcome: atrial fibrillation, , thrombo-embolic events, myocardial injury, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, cardiac death * Pulmonary outcome: postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative pneumonia, postoperative respiratory failure * Postoperative infection within 28 days after surgery

Ultra Fast-Track vs Fast-Track Protocols in Off-Pump and Minimally Invasive Valve Cardiac Surgery

Fast-track cardiac anesthesia (FTCA) has gained significant popularity over the past decades due to its potential to reduce healthcare costs and optimize the use of medical resources. This approach has led anesthesiologists to reconsider the traditional model of cardiac anesthesia, known as Conventional Cardiac Anesthesia (CCA), which historically relied on the administration of high-dose opioids to ensure adequate hemodynamic stability and prolonged postoperative analgesia, thereby reducing the incidence of myocardial ischemia. One of the primary goals of fast-track cardiac anesthesia is early tracheal extubation. Increasing evidence demonstrates that early extubation is associated with a reduction in the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and overall hospital length of stay, resulting in significant cost savings without negatively affecting patients' clinical outcomes. In contrast, prolonged mechanical ventilation has been shown to have a substantial economic impact and, more importantly, is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and reduced long-term survival, including decreased five-year survival rates. The Ultra Fast Track protocol, which involves extubation directly in the operating room, is currently less commonly used. However, it may further reduce postoperative mechanical ventilation time and the incidence of pulmonary complications, potentially leading to an additional reduction in hospital length of stay. The aim of this study is to compare the Fast Track and Ultra Fast Track protocols in order to evaluate differences in the incidence of respiratory, cardiac, renal, septic, and neurological complications. Postoperative pain will also be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), as well as the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

Comparison of Paravertebral Block and Deep Parasternal Intercostal Plane Block in Cardiac Surgery

Median sternotomy is commonly used in cardiac surgery and is often associated with significant postoperative pain. Poor pain control after sternotomy may increase opioid use, delay mobilization, prolong extubation time, and contribute to respiratory complications and longer hospital stay. Regional analgesia techniques may help improve pain management and reduce opioid requirements after surgery. This study is a prospective, randomized, single-center clinical trial that will compare two ultrasound-guided regional analgesia techniques in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery through median sternotomy: thoracic paravertebral block and bilateral deep parasternal intercostal plane block. A total of 80 patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive one of these two blocks in addition to standard general anesthesia and routine multimodal analgesia. The main objective of the study is to compare the effects of these two techniques on total opioid consumption during the first 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain scores, need for additional analgesics, analgesia-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or respiratory depression, and extubation time. Pain will be assessed using a visual analog scale at predefined time points during the first 24 postoperative hours. The study hypothesis is that there will be a clinically meaningful difference in postoperative analgesic effectiveness between thoracic paravertebral block and bilateral deep parasternal intercostal plane block in patients undergoing cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. The results of this study may help guide the selection of the most appropriate regional analgesia technique for pain control after sternotomy.

Comparison of Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) With the Combination of Superficial Parasternal Intercostal Plane Block (SPIPB) and Serratus Anterior Plane Block (SAPB) in the Management of Postoperative Sternotomy Pain in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Via Sternotomy

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two regional anesthesia techniques in managing pain for participants undergoing cardiac surgery via sternotomy. The investigators will evaluate whether the Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) or a combination of the Superficial Parasternal Intercostal Plane Block (SPIPB) and Serratus Anterior Plane Block (SAPB) provides better pain control and recovery outcomes.

Intrapleural Ropivacaine Infusion in Cardiac Surgery

For many patients, a primary source of postoperative pain following cardiac surgery is the presence of pleural drains, which the surgeon places at the end of the operation and maintains for 1 to 3 days. One promising method of pain management after cardiac surgery is interpleural analgesia, particularly when traditional analgesic methods, such as systemic opioids or epidural anesthesia, may be limited due to the risk of complications. Interpleural analgesia involves the introduction of local anesthetics directly into the pleural cavity through drainage tubes placed after cardiac surgery. This method targets pain receptors in the chest area, providing effective analgesia without significant systemic effects. Several clinical studies have confirmed the safety and efficacy of intrapleural administration of anesthetics after thoracic surgery. The aim of this randomised double-blind placebo controlled study is to test the hypothesis that, in patients after cardiac surgery, the quality of recovery from anesthesia with intrapleural use of ropivacaine is superior to that with a placebo.

Impact of the Reimbursement of Fibrinogen in Cardiac Surgery

This retrospective, single-center observational study aims to evaluate the impact of fibrinogen concentrate reimbursement introduced in Belgium in April 1st, 2020, on transfusion practices in complex cardiac surgery. Adult patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between Jan 1st 2016 and Dec 31st 2024 at Erasme Hospital will be included. Transfusion strategies and clinical outcomes will be compared between the pre-reimbursement and post-reimbursement periods.