Clinical Research Directory

Heart Rate VAriability as a MaRker for tItrATing hIgh flOw Nasal Cannula Therapy

High-flow nasal cannula is a type of non-invasive respiratory support that helps patients breathe more comfortably. Because the flow is high, it can deliver more oxygen to the lungs and make breathing easier by reducing the effort needed to breathe. However, the best strategy to determine the best oxygen flow rate remains uncertain. Reducing flow rates prematurely can increase work of breathing and prolong ICU stay, while unnecessary prolongation can increase costs. Currently, evidence to guide titration is limited. Heart rate variability is the natural variation in the time between each heartbeat. Heart rate variability reflects the level of autonomic nervous system activity in response to stress. The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that automatically controls how heart rate speeds up and slows down. When heart rate variability is higher, it indicates that the system is able to adjust to changes in the body, including stress. However, when heart rate variability is low, it indicates that the system is constrained and in a state of stress. The VARIATION study is designed to characterize how heart rate variability goal of this observational study is to learn whether heart rate variability can serve as a marker of the appropriateness of high flow nasal cannula flow support during flow titration in patients with respiratory failure. The main question it aims to answer is: Does heart rate variability change before other conventional respiratory signs when there are changes in respiratory function due to inadequate flow rate? Participants already on high flow nasal cannula as part of their regular medical care will: 1. Undergo a stepwise decrease in high flow nasal cannula flow rate. 2. Be recorded continuously with electrocardiogram and electrical impedance tomography.

Noninvasive Technique and High Flow Nasal Oxygen in Respiratory Failure

After obtaining Institutional Ethical Committee approval of Faculty of Medicine, Minia University and written informed consent from patients or first- degree relatives, this prospective randomized non-blind comparative study will be conducted in adult intensive care unit (ICU) of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain management department Minia university hospital over a period from September 2025 to April 2026. This study is designed to compare the effectiveness of two protocols of sequential use of High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) versus NIV alone in patients with Acute Respiratory failure (ARF) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The study will include 75 patients of both sexes, classified as ASA class Ⅰ-ⅠⅠⅠ, divided into three groups with 25 patients in each group.

Respiratory Knowledge Portal Computer and Phone Application to Improve Quality of Mechanical Ventilation by Reducing the Number of Ventilator Associated Events, Injury Created by the Ventilator and Unsafe Setting of Alarms.

Ventilator associated events (VAE) is a quality metric defined by 48 hours of stability followed by 48 hours of escalation of ventilator settings within the ICU. VAE have been associated with poor outcomes and increases the cost of care, yet is not easy to avoid. Operationalizing all the standards of care known to improve outcomes of those requiring mechanical ventilation in the critical care environment requires a comprehensive approach. ICU teams are encouraged to follow best practice protocols to help liberate and prevent VAEs. Yet, compliance with protocols in most ICUs is suboptimal for multiple reasons. With the advent of computerized mechanical ventilators capable of streaming data from breath to breath and biomedical integration systems (BMDI) such as Capsule (UTMB's BMDI system), software systems have been developed to help identify variances in the standard of care. Automation in near real-time ventilator data feedback has been shown to reduce the incidences of VAEs. This quality improvement project will leverage Vyaire's Respiratory Knowledge Portal (RKP) to collect and store meaningful data regarding ventilator-associated events (VAE), alarm policy compliance, ventilator weaning, and lung protective analytics. Goals: 1. To collect quality metrics utilizing RKP from patients requiring mechanical ventilation over a 3-4-month period for a retrospective baseline analysis. 2. Provide the RKP tool to the ICU team to determine if the use of RKP's webportal and Messenger Zebra phone app improves quality of mechanical ventilation and outcomes. 3. To determine a return on investment (ROI) for a software system like RKP.

Diaphragmatic Physiology Similarity Index May Titrate HFNC Flow Setting: A Prospective Observational Study

Study Objective This prospective observational study aims to investigate the role of the Diaphragmatic Physiology Similarity Index (DPSI) derived from speckle tracking ultrasound in titrating high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) flow settings, and to evaluate its application in patients with acute respiratory failure. Primary Research Questions To characterize the features of the DPSI in healthy individuals and in patients with acute respiratory failure. To assess the behavior of the DPSI under different HFNC flow settings in patients with acute respiratory failure. Secondary Research Questions Feasibility and inter-operator reproducibility of diaphragmatic speckle tracking. Assessment of the Diaphragmatic Contraction Synchrony Index. Evaluation of End-Diaphragmatic Residual Contraction (EDRC). Additional fundamental parameters, including diaphragmatic displacement velocity and maximum displacement.

Vela Generation II: Usability and Performance of a Non-Invasive Ventilation Mask.

Study Overview The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether an improved non invasive ventilation mask with airway washout can reduce how often people need to breathe and perform as well as standard NIV masks when used with different ventilators, in people receiving NIV therapy for respiratory distress or respiratory insufficiency. The main question(s) it aims to answer are: * Does the new mask reduce breathing rate compared with a standard NIV mask? * Does the ventilator perform as expected when used with the new mask, including pressure delivery and leak? * Do clinicians and participants find the new mask fits and functions well? Three iterations of the new mask (vented, non-vented, dual limb) will be compared to standard of care to see if the mask reduces the need to breathe and performs consistently across ventilators compared with usual NIV masks. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ What Participants Will Do Participants will wear two different NIV masks, each for one hour, during a single study session lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Participants will be asked to: * Wear a small, stick on carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor on the skin. * Use their usual NIV mask for one hour while ventilator data are collected. * Switch to the investigational mask for one hour while ventilator data are collected. * Choose whether to return to their original mask or remain on the investigational mask after the study period. * Caregiver opinion on the mask will be collected. Participants may also choose (optional): * To have three small blood samples taken (These samples are optional, and participants can still take part in the study if they decline them.) * One when they agree to take part in the study * One when the investigational mask is fitted * One after wearing the investigational mask for one hour * To provide feedback on how the two masks felt and performed. During the study, researchers will collect data from the ventilator, including: * Breathing rate and depth * NIV pressure settings * Amount of air leak Research staff will also complete a short form assessing how well the mask fit and functioned. Participants will remain in the study until the investigational mask is removed.

Supraglottic Airway for Resuscitation in Preemies

The goal of this single-arm intervention trial is to learn whether using a supraglottic airway (SA) as the primary interface for positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is feasible during delivery room resuscitation of premature infants. This study will be conducted in premature infants born between 29 0/7 and 33 6/7 weeks' gestation who require PPV at birth. The main question it aims to answer is: Is it feasible to use a supraglottic airway as the primary interface to provide effective PPV during delivery room resuscitation in 29 0/7 to 33 6/7 weeks' gestation premature infants? Participants will (1)Be screened prenatally and have informed consent obtained from the birth parent prior to delivery; (2)Be rescreened for eligibility on the day of delivery before receiving the study intervention; (3)Receive PPV using a supraglottic airway as the primary ventilation interface if resuscitation is required at birth; and (4)Have clinical and procedural data collected during delivery room resuscitation and for up to 24 hours after birth.

Impact of PEEP on Respiratory Effort During Assisted Ventilation

Assisted mechanical ventilation is widely used to preserve diaphragmatic activity and improve lung aeration in patients with acute respiratory failure. However, during assisted ventilation, excessive inspiratory effort may develop and contribute to lung injury, diaphragmatic overload, and patient self-inflicted lung injury. Optimizing ventilator settings to modulate respiratory effort therefore represents a major physiological and clinical challenge. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a key determinant of lung recruitment and respiratory system mechanics and may influence inspiratory effort by modifying lung volume, compliance, and respiratory drive. Despite its widespread use, PEEP titration in clinical practice is still mainly guided by oxygenation parameters, while its direct effects on inspiratory effort during assisted mechanical ventilation remain insufficiently characterized. This physiological randomized crossover study aims to evaluate the effect of four predefined levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (0, 5, 10, and 15 cmH₂O) on the respiratory system and inspiratory effort in adult patients receiving assisted mechanical ventilation. Patients will be exposed to each PEEP level in randomized order, with stabilization and washout periods between conditions, while ventilatory support settings other than PEEP are kept constant.

Critical Care Admission Following Emergency Department's Resuscitation Room Care

This prospective multicenter observational study aims to describe resuscitation room activity in France and to compare critical care admission within 24 hours between patients directly admitted to the resuscitation room and those admitted secondarily after initial emergency department management. Adult patients admitted to the resuscitation room over a 72-hour period in participating centers will be included. Data collection includes patient characteristics, triage severity, physiological parameters, critical interventions, and outcomes at 24 hours.

Impact of Biphasic Cuirass Ventilation Compared to Non Invasive Ventilation in High Risk Extubations

subjects on mechanical ventilator who are about to be extubated to Non invasive ventilation because the physician thinks they are high risk for failure will be approached and consented for our study. Once randomized they will either be on the standard of care Non invasive arm or the intervention arm which would mean they are placed on the Biphasic cuirass ventilation.

Percutaneous Cryoablation of Intercostal Nerves for the Treatment of Rib Fractures

The goal of this double blinded randomized control trial is to learn if percutaneous cryoablation of traumatic rib fractures improves outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does percutaneous cryoablation improve short and long term pain scores? Does percutaneous cryoablation improve short and long term respiratory mechanics? Does percutaneous cryoablation improve long term quality of life? Does percutaneous cryoablation decrease delirium? Researchers will compare cryoablation to standard multimodal pain therapy to see if this impacts respiratory recovery. Participants will undergo randomization, percutaneous cryoablative procedure, and participate in tests at pre-determined intervals to evaluate their pulmonary recovery.

Diaphragm Atrophy and Dysfunction in Mechanical Ventilation

The gold standard of twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure recordings would ultimately clear the fog around the rate of development of Ventilator induced Diaphragm Dysfunction (VIDD) in mechanically ventilated patients over time. Through measurements made even after mechanical ventilation (MV) it could be clarified to what extent patients recover from VIDD. Paired with cortical stimulation and electromyographic recordings of diaphragm muscle potentials, it could be explored to what extent decreased diaphragm excitability due to long term MV contributes to VIDD on the level of motor cortex. Against that background the present project aims at determining the rate of decline in diaphragm function, strength and control in patients undergoing MV (including measurements after extubation).

EIT-Guided Respiratory Physiotherapy for Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation (PMV)

Patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) frequently experience impaired ventilation distribution, respiratory muscle dysfunction, secretion retention, and delayed liberation from mechanical ventilation. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) provides real-time bedside visualization of regional ventilation and enables individualized respiratory physiotherapy strategies. This multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether EIT-guided respiratory physiotherapy improves ventilator-free days at day 28 compared with conventional respiratory physiotherapy in adult patients with PMV. Respiratory physiotherapy consists of airway clearance, chest physiotherapy techniques, breathing pattern optimization, and therapeutic positioning. In the EIT-guided group, real-time EIT imaging is used to individualize physiotherapy strategies based on predefined ventilation distribution indicators, while the control group receives standardized physiotherapy according to institutional protocols without EIT guidance. Secondary outcomes include successful liberation from mechanical ventilation, diaphragm ultrasound parameters, EIT-derived ventilation distribution indices (exploratory mechanistic outcomes), ICU Mobility Scale, healthcare resource utilization, and safety outcomes.

Bio-Banking of Specimens for Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Research

A major goal of this protocol is to support biomarker studies in advanced lung diseases, lung transplantation care, and to improve our understanding of the effects of viral and other infectious exposures to outcomes in our lung transplant and ALD patient populations.

Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV-ECMO) Heparin Study

This single-center, open-label study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous heparin anticoagulation compared to the standard of care systemic intravenous anticoagulation during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure.

Prone Position Assessed by 3D EIT

To investigate global and regional changes in lung ventilation and perfusion induced by prone position in ARDS patients assessed by 3D-EIT. And to investigate the difference between 2D-EIT and 3D-EIT in prone position monitoring.

Feasibility of the Comfort Measures Only Time Out (CMOT)

Nearly 25% of Americans die in intensive care units (ICUs). Most deaths in ICUs are expected and involve the removal of ventilator support, or palliative withdrawal of mechanical ventilation (WMV). Prior work by the Principal Investigator (PI) found that patient suffering can be common; with 30-59% of patients going through this process experiencing distress. Thus, experts and national organizations have called for evidence to inform guidelines for WMV. This research study will 1) develop and refine a Comfort Measures Only Time out (CMOT) intervention consisting of a structured time out with check-list protocol for the ICU team (nurse, physician, respiratory therapist) to improve the process of WMV. and 2) Pilot test the CMOT intervention in 4 ICUs (2 medical/2 surgical) among 40 WMV patients.

Transpulmonary Assessment for Individualized Lung Optimization in Obese Patients

This protocol describes a randomized controlled feasibility vanguard study designed to investigate the implementation and effects of esophageal pressure-guided positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration in patients with high body mass index (BMI) mechanically ventilated patients at the Edmonton Zone. The study will enroll 30 patients with body mass index (BMI) \>=30 kg/m2 who require invasive mechanical ventilation, randomizing them in a 1:1 ratio to receive either esophageal pressure-guided PEEP titration or standard care management. The primary objective focuses on establishing the feasibility of conducting a larger definitive trial, while secondary objectives examine differences in applied PEEP levels, respiratory mechanics, and clinical outcomes between groups. The intervention protocol targets end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure of 0-2 cmH2O.

A New Tool for Extubation Readiness in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: Readiness for EXtubation Score

Liberation from mechanical ventilation involves three steps: weaning, readiness assessment, and extubation. Readiness is determined using clinical criteria such as improvement of the underlying condition, hemodynamic stability, and adequate respiratory effort. Successful extubation is defined as not requiring invasive support within 48 hours. Due to the complexity of ICU patients, various clinical parameters and multi-component scores have been developed to predict extubation success. This study aims to develop and evaluate a multi-component score, the Readiness for EXtubation score (REXs), to predict extubation readiness in ICU patients under invasive mechanical ventilation.

Ventilator-based Inspiratory Muscle Training for Patients With Respiratory Failure

This study will be conducted to compare the effectiveness of progressive inspiratory flow trigger sensitivity rising versus stepwise pressure support reduction as ventilator-based inspiratory muscle training methods on weaning and extubation success in mechanically ventilated patients with respiratory failure.

The Effects of Vertical Position on Gas Exchange in Patients With Respiratory Failure

The purpose of this study is to investigate how changing from a supine to upright position affects gas exchange for patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. The research question is: will oxygen saturation and/or partial pressure of oxygen in the blood change when a patient with hypoxemic respiratory failure moves from a supine to upright position?

Study of Platelet Population Changes Under Circulatory Support With ECMO

Advances in flow cytometry techniques have led to a better understanding of platelet phenotypes and have revealed the existence of four major platelet populations with distinct functional properties (native, proaggregating, procoagulating, or apoptotic). These phenotypes have a significant impact on the hemostatic capacity of blood platelets, and a proportional change in these populations during ECMO treatment could, at least in part, contribute to the observed complications.

Recovery From ICUAW Following Severe Respiratory and Cardiac Failure

To observe and identify determinants of recovery from intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) following a severe cardiorespiratory failure requiring extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Additionally, to discover the effects of ICUAW on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after critical illness. CLEVERER is a clinical observational pilot study.

Mode of Ventilation During Critical Illness at Multiple Centers

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the choice of ventilator mode for patients on breathing machines in the intensive care unit affects their survival and recovery. To do this, researchers will assign the entire participating intensive care unit to one of the three available ventilator modes, alternating which mode is assigned in random sequence every 2 months. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the choice between volume control, pressure control, and adaptive pressure control affect the number of days that patients are alive and free of the breathing machine?

Real-Time Algorithm-Driven Ventilation Feedback to Improve Lung-Protective Ventilation in Critically Ill Patients

The REALVENT trial is designed to evaluate whether a real-time, algorithm-driven ventilation feedback strategy can improve lung-protective ventilation (LPV) achievement rates in critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. This multicentre randomised controlled trial will compare real-time respiratory waveform monitoring with automated feedback against standard ICU care. The primary endpoint is the LPV achievement rate over the first 72 hours.