Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Extracorporeal Circulation Techniques on Cerebral Perfusion in CABG Surgery

This prospective study aims to compare the effects of minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) and conventional reservoir-based extracorporeal circulation techniques on cerebral perfusion in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Although the adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on cerebral perfusion and oxygenation are well recognized, the relationship between these effects and changes in intracranial pressure has not been fully elucidated. In this context, ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), a non-invasive surrogate marker of intracranial pressure, will be used in combination with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to enable a comprehensive assessment of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. Between February 2026 and February 2027, a total of 70 ASA II-III patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery will be prospectively enrolled and allocated according to the extracorporeal circulation technique used. Perioperative ONSD measurements will be performed by a single anesthesiologist blinded to the perfusion technique. The primary endpoint is the comparison of perioperative changes in ONSD between the two techniques. Secondary endpoints include the correlation between ONSD and NIRS values, incidence of cerebrovascular events, extubation time, duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay, perioperative hemodynamic parameters, and postoperative complications. This study is expected to provide clinically relevant data on the cerebral effects of different extracorporeal circulation strategies and contribute to perioperative neuromonitoring practices in cardiac surgery.

Ocular Characteristics in Patients With Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis are cranial deformations due to the premature closure of one or more cranial sutures. These deformations affect approximately one in 2.500 births. In most cases, craniosynostoses are isolated with unknown (non syndrome). On the other hand, 20% of these deformations are associated with other concentration (syndrome). Craniosynostosis has morphological (associated dysmorphism) and functional (growth conflict between the skull and the brain) repercussions. Ophthalmological disorders are frequent: refractive disorders, oculomotor disorders, optic nerve damage, sensory damage. This retrospective study aims to describe the ocular clinical characteristics associated with craniosynostosis in patients followed at the Amiens University Hospital.

Optic Nerve Ultrasound for Assessing Cerebral Inflammation and Intracranial Hypertension in Cerebral Pathologies

Timely detection of signs of raised intracranial pressure or persistent inflammation within the meninges can expedite therapeutic decisions improving the prognosis of patients with brain damage. Optic nerve ultrasonography provides a user-friendly, safe, low-cost, and non-invasive imaging method that can be easily deployed for ICU patient assessment. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of optic nerve ultrasound in estimating cerebral inflammation extension and cerebral edema in patients in the ICU. The working hypothesis is that optic nerve ultrasound is a useful tool in the rapid diagnosis of cerebral edema and the presence or persistence of cerebral inflammation, which can enable adapted and rapid therapeutic interventions.

External Lumbar Drainage to Reduce ICP in Severe TBI: a Phase 1 Clinical Trial

The goal of this phase 1 randomized controlled safety and feasibility clinical trial are to determine the safety of external lumbar drainage (ELD) in select patients with severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The main questions it aims to answer are (i) if ELD is feasible and (ii) safe to perform in severe TBI patients who have radiological evidence of patent basal cisterns and midline shift \<5mm without increasing the risk of neurological worsening or cerebral herniation. All participants will receive routine usual care. The study group will additionally have ELD for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. A comparison will be made between the usual treatment plus ELD (interventional) groups, and the usual treatment (control) groups on incidence rate of neurological worsening or cerebral herniation events, and whether total hours with raised intracranial pressure (ICP) are different.

Intracranial PrEssure Time dOse (ImPETO)

The new Integra CereLink ICP monitor integrate the possibility of recording and displaying continuously the AUC (Pressure Time Dose, PTD) and other ICP derived variables and provide the possibility of evaluating the utility of this information at the bedside. It offers the opportunity to test in a standardized way the clinical value of the PTD computation in this setting. Therefore, this study aims to test clinically if PTD recorded continuously is associated to patients' outcome and to identify a threshold of PTD associated with the transition from good to negative outcomes.

Assessment of Venous Drainage in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder producing a syndrome of increased intracranial pressure secondary to a compressive intracranial lesion or said to be idiopathic. The most common symptoms are headaches, blindness, pulsatile tinnitus or papillary edema. There are many options for the treatment of IIH, especially neurosurgery (derivation of cerebrospinal fluid or stent placement). Currently, idiopathic IIH has no clear etiology but the hypothesis of sino-venous insufficiency is more and more recognized. The assumption of venous insufficiency has not been demonstrated so far. Therefore the investigators propose to demonstrate that cerebral venous drainage pathways are altered in adult patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension in comparison to healthy individuals having normal circulation. Assessment will be performed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging which is part of the patient care.

Effectiveness of Surgical Procedures for Acute Cranial Expansion in Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients often exhibit an increase in their intracranial volume due to blood collection or brain tissue edema. When the volume of any intracranial compartment exceeds a critical threshold, the compensatory mechanisms become exhausted, compromising intracranial compliance and blood supply, which leads to intracranial compartment syndrome (ICCS). The presence of this condition exacerbates brain damage through secondary injury. When less invasive measures to counteract ICCS prove to be insufficient, cranial decompression is recommended, with decompressive craniectomy (DC) being the preferred technique. Although its effectiveness has been demonstrated, DC is also associated with an incidence of complications. Expansive craniotomy (EC) has been proposed as an alternative that can increase the benefits of cranial decompression provided by DC while reducing the associated complications. This observational study will compare the functional outcomes and complications of patients managed by DC and EC.

Security and Effectiveness Assessment of Locking Systems in Ventriculostomy for Traumatic Brain Injury

This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of a standard intervention called ventriculostomy for managing increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Elevated ICP is a critical condition that can result in brain damage or death if not treated promptly. The intervention will be performed in a traditional standard way or with an additional device called a catheter locking system. The first approach, standard ventriculostomy, involves placing a catheter into the brain's ventricular system to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), thereby reducing ICP. The second approach incorporates the same catheter plus a catheter-locking device designed to secure the catheter in place, potentially reducing complications such as catheter displacement and the need for additional surgeries. Participants in this study will undergo either standard ventriculostomy or ventriculostomy with the locking device. Their progress will be observed during their hospital stay until the catheter is taken out (regularly on days 5th to 7th after the initial surgery) and assessed over one year through structured telephone follow-ups. The main outcomes include functional recovery, as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE), and the rate of complications such as operative site infections, catheter displacement, and/or reinterventions. By comparing these two methods, the study seeks to determine whether the locking device improves outcomes for TBI patients while maintaining or enhancing the safety and reliability of the procedure.

Study SOLACE SEPSIS

A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Study of Hemodynamic and Acid Base Effects of 0.5M Sodium Lactate and 3% Saline Solutions in Septic Shock Patients

Lidocaine, Dexmedetomidine, Esmolol and Magnesium Effect on Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter After Laryngoscopy

This clinical trial aims to compare the effects of lidocaine, dexmedetomidine, esmolol, and magnesium on optic nerve sheath diameter and hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy. The participants will be patients determined to need intubation and general anesthesia for any elective surgery. Each participant will receive either lidocaine, dexmedetomidine, esmolol, magnesium, or none before anesthesia induction, according to randomization. The investigator will measure the optic nerve sheath diameter by ultrasonography before and after intubation. Researchers will compare the difference between optic nerve sheath diameter, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate before and after laryngoscopy and search for the most stable group. The trial aims to determine a general anesthesia induction protocol for patients sensitive to intracranial pressure changes reflected as optic nerve sheath diameter for easy monitoring.

Non Invasive Measurement With Trans Cranial Doppler Versus Invasive Measurement in Pediatric Age

An increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) is an important cause of secondary brain damage. The gold standard for measuring ICP is represented by invasive positioning of intracranial ICP devices. The most used non-invasive methods (nICP) are obtained through bed-side ultrasound, routinely used in the management of children in Pediatric Intensive Care: arterial Trancranial Doppler (TCD) and ultrasound measurement of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath (ONSD ). In this study it is proposed to compare the measurement of nICP obtained by TCD and ONSD versus the measurement obtained by the invasive monitoring (iICP) already present.