Clinical Research Directory

Association of Different Tidal Volumes and Postoperative Pulmonary Complications

The incidence of lung cancer in China is increasing year by year. Currently, the treatment primarily based on video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is still considered the optimal approach for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The widespread application of traditional one-lung ventilation (OLV) technology not only achieves effective lung isolation, but also facilitates exposure of the surgical field during thoracoscopic surgery, making it more convenient for surgeons to operate. However, the occurrence of hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation may pose a risk to patient safety. One-lung ventilation can lead to increased intrapulmonary shunt, ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, and ischemic-hypoxic lung injury. Hypoxemia is the major problem during one-lung ventilation. Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are among the major complications following thoracic and general anesthesia surgeries, including atelectasis, pneumonia, and respiratory failure, which significantly prolong hospital stay and increase mortality. Low tidal volume lung-protective ventilation strategies have been widely implemented. Additionally, permissive hypercapnia, reducing peak airway pressure to minimize barotrauma, and decreasing FiO₂ all help reduce pulmonary complications.Recently, researchers have focused on optimizing ventilation strategies during OLV, such as using PEEP or low VT ventilation alone or in combination, or exploring different combinations of tidal volume and respiratory frequency under consistent minute ventilation (VE), aiming to balance lung protection and oxygenation, reduce complications, and improve patient outcomes. However, to date, there is still no gold standard tidal volume ventilation strategy for reducing pulmonary complications in patients undergoing lung resection.

Generative AI Impact on Rheumatoid Arthritis Complications Diagnosis

Generative AI (GenAI) based on large language models (LLMs) is expected to improve the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. We are studying how GenAI may affect the diagnosis of various complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In a retrospective study using RA patients' EHR records, we will quantify physician adoption of GenAI predictions for RA complications and co-existing diseases. In a prospective observational study, we will assess the feasibility of using GenAI predictions as additional clinical information to help physicians make more complete diagnoses of RA complications and co-existing diseases, including complex, uncommon, or rare conditions.

Effectiveness of an Innovative Chest Stabilizer in Rib Fracture Treatment: Impact on Respiratory Function, Complications, and Clinical Outcomes

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative, non-invasive chest stabilizer in patients with multiple rib fractures caused by blunt chest trauma. Rib fractures often lead to severe pain, breathing difficulties, and complications such as pneumonia or atelectasis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: standard pain management or the new chest stabilizer, which will be used for 10 days. The study will assess improvements in pain levels, breathing function (including FVC, FEV1, and PEF), and the occurrence of lung-related complications. Additional outcomes such as hospital stay, patient comfort, and skin reactions related to the device will also be evaluated. The goal of this research is to determine whether the innovative stabilizer can provide safer, more comfortable, and more effective treatment compared with current standard care for rib fracture patients.

The Incidence of Pulmonary, Cardiovascular and Renal System Non-communicable Complications Associated With the Post-acute Phase of the Infection by Covid-19

More than 660 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, with 183 million cases in the EU alone. In several people, after recovery, the effects of the first waves of COVID-19 persisted beyond the acute phase and increased the risk of chronic multiorgan symptoms and disease. Up to 70% of people affected by COVID-19 showed reduced organ function even four months or more after COVID-19 diagnosis. Such a functional decline is associated with an increased risk of the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Thus, there is an essential need for a better knowledge, tools, clinical guidelines and recommendations that it will make it possible to reduce this overrepresentation of NCDs as a consequence of the post-acute phase (PAP) of COVID-19. The overall concept underpinning "POINT" is to i) build detailed knowledge on the link between the PAP of COVID-19 caused by previous, current, and future SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccinated and unvaccinated people, and NCDs, ii) identify robust biomarkers and build predictive tools that help early identification and management of risk of NCDs, and iii) develop guidelines and recommendations for all parts of the healthcare value chain, allowing best prevention and care acknowledging vulnerability. The investigators will focus on the NCDs affecting pulmonary, cardiovascular and renal systems.

Prevention of Pulmonary Complications After Laparoscopic Liver Surgery

* Background: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are the most common complications after major upper abdominal surgery. PPCs include respiratory infections, severe atelectasis, pleural effusion, bronchospasm, aspiration pneumonitis, pneumothorax, exacerbation of chronic pulmonary condition, and respiratory failure. Although PPC rates are higher after open liver surgery, PPCs still occur in approximately 12-13% of patients undergoing laparoscopic liver surgery. Preoperative respiratory physiotherapy education reduces PPCs after open major abdominal surgery and after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of enhanced perioperative pulmonary physiotherapy on the incidence of PPCs after laparoscopic liver surgery. * Methods: A prospective, multicentre, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted according to the study protocol at participating centers. A total of 326 patients scheduled for laparoscopic liver surgery will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio into intervention group or standard Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) -based perioperative education group. Surgeons/ researchers are blinded to the patient allocation. Patients in the intervention group receive preoperative breathing education in a single session and an educational video to guide pulmonary training at home. Pulmonary training lasts for 7 days prior to surgery and for 7 days postoperatively. The training includes deep breathing, and coughing, pursed lip breathing and positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy. Patients receive instructions for conducting exercises along with an individual risk assessment at a preoperative ambulatory visit. The exercise session (10min) is to be performed two times daily for total of 14 days. The control group receives standard perioperative breathing education. Primary outcome is the rate of postoperative pulmonary complications within 14 days of operation. Secondary outcomes include 90-day mortality, Clavien-Dindo classified complications, length of hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital costs. * Discussion: Little effort is currently put into preventing pulmonary complications after surgery, although PPCs aggravate considerable morbidity and costs to health care system. ERAS Society protocols concentrate mainly on optimizing postoperative recovery. Laparoscopic techniques as such and frequent manipulation of the diaphragm during liver surgery provoke PPCs at a considerable rate. Aim of the study is to present a short-and-easy perioperative pulmonary physiotherapy initiative and evaluate its impact on PPC rate and PPCs ramifications, including direct costs, after laparoscopic liver surgery.

İn This Study, Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery Will be Divided Into Two Groups. The Control Group Will Receive Normal-flow, While the Study Group Will Receive Low-flow Inhalational Anesthesia. The Aim is to Compare the Incidence of Postop Atelectasis-between the Two Groups Using USG Evaluation

This study is a clinical trial and its purpose is to evaluate the effect of low and normal flow anesthesia on atelectasis formation in patients undergoing bariatric surgery by ultrasonography. In this study, lung ultrasounds and respiratory function tests will be performed on volunteers before and after surgery. These procedures are completely painless and safe. No invasive procedure will be performed in the study; the methods used do not pose any additional risk other than existing treatment procedures.

Biphasic Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation Versus Flow-Controlled Ventilation in Burn Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the new ventilation mode flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) is a more protective mode of ventilation for adult patients after severe burn injury. The main question it aims to answer is: Does FCV reduce the mechanical power (a key determinant of ventilator-induced lung injury) compared to conventional pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) during ventilation of patients with burn injury? Researchers will compare FCV with PCV for up to 70 hours of ventilation to see if the mechanical power is reduced during ventilation of participants being in need of ventilation after severe burn injury. Ventilation of participants will be controlled by either FCV or PCV. Group-specific ventilation will have the following characteristics: * FCV: Control of airway flows during inspiration and expiration, use of individualized lower and upper airway pressures and no fixed values for the volumes being inspired and expired (tidal volumes) * PCV: No control of airway flows during expiration, use of individualized lower airway pressures and upper airway pressures for a fixed tidal volume during each breath (6-8 ml/kg ideal body weight) In total, at least 24 participants in need of ventilation after severe burn injury will be ventilated either with FCV (12 participants) or PCV (12 participants) for up to 70 hours. During ventilation mechanical power is computed according to certain ventilation parameters. Additionally, we evaluate organ functions of the cardiovascular systems, the lungs and other organs during and after the group-specific ventilation.