Clinical Research Directory

NAI (Nogapendekin Alfa Inbakicept) Plus Standard of Care in Critically Ill Adults With Sepsis

This study will test whether adding an immune-stimulating drug, nogapendekin alfa inbakicept (NAI), to standard intensive care treatment is safe and potentially helpful for adults with sepsis or septic shock. All participants will receive usual sepsis care. They will also get NAI as an injection under the skin on Day 1, and again on Days 14 and 21 if still in the hospital (and with low lymphocyte counts on Day 21). The study will first focus on safety in 10 patients, then enroll more (total 49) to see how many are alive at 28 days and 90 days, how their white blood cell counts recover, how much organ support they need, and how long they stay in the ICU and hospital.

Personalized Fluid Resuscitation in the Emergency Department: A Pilot Trial

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if a fluid assessment using non-invasive cardiac output monitoring (NICOM) is helpful for patients with sepsis who have low blood pressure in the Emergency Department (ED). The study will measure whether the NICOM assessment changes fluid resuscitation practices and is feasible in the ED setting. All patients will receive standard medical care. Patients assigned to the NICOM group will receive a one-time, non-invasive bedside fluid assessment using NICOM, in addition to standard care, and the results of the fluid assessment will be provided to the treating physician.

Effects of Paroxetine on Cardiovascular Function in Septic Patients

It is known that septic shock is characterized by arterial hypotension, decreased peripheral vascular resistance and hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor agents, with NO being an important mediator of this organ dysfunction. Data in the literature have shown that hyporeactivity to catecholamines is associated with a decrease in the density of α and ß receptors in the aorta and heart, respectively, as well as an increase in GRK2 levels and that NO contributes to the increase of this kinase in sepsis . Based on this, it is hypothesized that cardiac dysfunction and decreased peripheral vascular resistance observed in sepsis may result from an increase in GRK2 activity and/or expression and its inhibition may be a relevant therapeutic target in septic shock patients. Based on this line, a measurable clinical benefit of paroxetine through the regulation of GRK2 expression in patients with septic shock is postulated.

Serum Rennin Kinetics Versus Serum Lactate Kinetics as Predictors of Mortality in Septic Shock Patients

Whole blood lactate concentration is widely used in shock states to assess perfusion. We aimed to determine if the change in plasma renin concentration over time would be superior to the change in lactate concentration for predicting in-hospital mortality in septic shock patients.

Phase IIb Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Sivelestat in Patients With Septic Coagulopathy

Sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a severe complication occurring in one-third of patients with septic shock, for which no specific treatment currently exists. It results from excessive systemic activation of coagulation and impaired fibrinolysis, leading to the development of disseminated microthromboses. We have recently demonstrated: 1) the contribution of NETs to the hypercoagulability observed in DIC, and 2) the role of neutrophil elastase-bound to NET DNA-in degrading plasminogen, a key factor limiting fibrinolysis and thus preventing the lysis of microthrombi in DIC. Sivelestat is a neutrophil elastase inhibitor used in Japan for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It has the potential to inhibit: 1) neutrophil activation and the release of inflammatory mediators, and 2) plasminogen degradation, which drives fibrinolytic failure. A recent meta-analysis including 2,050 patients across 15 studies showed that Sivelestat reduced ARDS patient mortality at day 28-30 (RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66-0.98, p = 0.03), decreased mechanical ventilation duration and ICU length of stay, and improved oxygenation. We propose to conduct a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb trial evaluating the efficacy of Sivelestat in restoring fibrinolysis in patients with septic shock complicated by coagulopathy, defined by a positive SIC score (≥ 4 points).

Discordance Between Capillary Refill Time and Oxygen Extraction Ratio in Septic Shock

In septic shock, restoring large-vessel (macrocirculatory) perfusion-reflected by a normal capillary refill time (CRT)-does not always mean that oxygen use at the tissue level has recovered. This mismatch, sometimes called loss of hemodynamic coherence, may be detectable by comparing CRT with the oxygen extraction ratio (O₂ER), a marker of how much oxygen the tissues are extracting from the blood. Patients whose CRT has normalized but whose O₂ER remains abnormal-either too high (suggesting oxygen delivery that is insufficient for demand) or too low (suggesting microcirculatory shunting)-are considered to have a "discordant" perfusion phenotype. This prospective, single-center, observational cohort study aims to determine how often this CRT-O₂ER discordance occurs at the 6th hour of resuscitation in adult patients with septic shock, and whether it is associated with 28-day mortality. Approximately 100 consecutive adult patients diagnosed with septic shock (with pre-existing central venous and arterial catheters) will be followed. Clinical and laboratory measurements-including CRT, O₂ER, lactate, mottling score, and organ dysfunction scores-will be recorded at hours 0, 6, 12, and 24, with the main phenotype grouping performed at hour 6. The study is purely observational: CRT is a painless, non-invasive bedside measurement, and O₂ER is calculated from blood gas samples already drawn as part of routine care, so no additional interventions or blood draws are performed for research purposes.

Dopamine Versus Epinephrine for Pediatric Fluid-Refractory Hypotensive Septic Shock

This randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare dopamine with epinephrine as the first vasoactive treatment in children aged 2 to 12 years with fluid-refractory hypotensive septic shock. Children who remained hypotensive with signs of poor tissue perfusion after receiving standardized intravenous fluid resuscitation were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either dopamine or epinephrine. The study was designed to determine whether epinephrine resulted in a higher rate of shock reversal within the first 60 minutes after starting vasoactive treatment compared with dopamine. Shock reversal was assessed using improvement in age-appropriate blood pressure, capillary refill, peripheral circulation, mental status, and urine output. A total of 66 children were included, with 33 participants assigned to each treatment group. Epinephrine was administered at doses ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 microgram/kg/minute, while dopamine was administered at doses ranging from 10 to 20 microgram/kg/minute according to a predefined escalation schedule. In addition to shock reversal within one hour, the study compared sustained hemodynamic stability, the requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation within 24 hours, and in-hospital mortality between the two treatment groups.

Validation of SOFA-2 for Mortality and Sepsis-3 Prevalence in Turkey

The goal of this observational study is to validate the effectiveness of the new SOFA-2 score in predicting mortality and to determine the current frequency of sepsis in adult patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Turkey. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the SOFA-2 score accurately predict 30-day mortality in ICU patients? * What is the prevalence of Sepsis-3 and septic shock in Turkish ICUs? Researchers will compare the new SOFA-2 score to the existing SOFA-1 score to see if the new score provides better predictive accuracy for patient outcomes. Participants will not receive any experimental intervention. Researchers will collect data from routine medical care, including: * Vital signs, laboratory test results, and details of organ support (such as mechanical ventilation or dialysis) during the first 24 hours of admission. * Survival status at 30 days.

Impact of Metabolite Supplementation to Restore Mitochondrial Dysfunction During Septic Shock: a Preclinical Study

Septic shock is defined as a subset of sepsis with severe metabolism alterations, leading to organ failure. Septic shock is associated with a high mortality, around 40% according to the SEPSIS 3 definition. Metabolic alterations are responsible for lactic acidosis, and results in mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aims at evaluate the impact of exogenous metabolites on restoring mitochondrial function in septic shock patients with lactate acidosis. Mitochondrial metabolism (quantitative analysis, mitochondrial function) in intact Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) will be isolate and analyse from patients at the early phase of septic shock (admission), at day 2 and 4. Participant's medical history will be recorded: renal and liver metabolism, severity scores and outcomes and the need for supportive care in the intensive care unit (ICU) until 28 days after admission. Furthermore, the investigators will evaluate wether selected metabolites added to the cell culture medium may improve mitochondrial metabolism.

Vasopressin for Septic Shock Pragmatic Trial

Life-threatening low blood pressure due to a serious infection is called "septic shock." Septic shock is treated with vasopressors, medications that raise blood pressure. Sometimes first-line vasopressors are inadequate, prompting addition of a second-line vasopressor called vasopressin. However, the threshold at which to start vasopressin remains unclear. This pragmatic, cluster-randomized, cluster-crossover trial will evaluate two different strategies for septic shock treatment commonly used in current practice, comparing a lower versus a higher threshold for adding vasopressin to first-line vasopressors.

Immune Dysregulation During Sepsis: A Natural History Cohort

Background: Sepsis is an illness that occurs when the body s immune system runs out of control. This can damage organs. Sepsis causes an estimated 1 in 5 deaths worldwide. In this natural history study, researchers want to learn more about how the immune system changes during sepsis. They hope this knowledge will help them find better ways to treat sepsis. Objective: To understand how sepsis affects the body over time. Eligibility People aged 18 years and older admitted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Virginia and who have sepsis. Design: Researchers will collect data from participants medical records. Participants will have blood drawn at least 5 times while they are in the hospital. Blood may be collected for up to 30 days, if they remain in the hospital that long. The blood will be taken from access lines that are already in place. Some blood draws will be optional. Participants may opt to have up to 3 tests of their heart function while they are in the hospital. Some participants may have a sample of fluid collected from their lungs. Participants will have a follow-up visit about 90 days after they join the study. This visit will be by phone call if they have left the hospital. They will fill out a questionnaire. They will answer questions about their health and how they feel. The call will last about 30 minutes....

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Score and Organ Dysfunction in Septic Shock Patients

Septic shock is common complication in patients with critical illnesses, with higher incidence in low and medium income countries like ours. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is also common in patients presenting to intensive care units. Further DIC is common coexisting condition seen in many patients presenting with sepsis and septic shock. Both DIC and septic shock individually are associated with very high mortality and morbidity and coexistence of both increase risk manifold. Organ dysfunction is a complication of both septic shock and DIC individually and in presence of coexistence risk further multiply. DIC scoring of every patient at risk as in patients presenting with septic shock help us to predict about patients having more chances to convert to overt DIC. Understanding effects of DIC on organ dysfunction in septic shock patients can help to prognosticate and guide towards early intervention. Also, there is paucity of literature on effect of DIC score changes on organ dysfunction in patients with septic shock.

Mechanistic Assessment of Norepinephrine Therapy vs. Angiotensin-II in Septic Shock

Despite best therapy efforts, sepsis and septic shock are associated with mortality rates of up to 40%. This clinical trial will determine the benefit of exogenous Angiotensin II versus norepinephrine (conventional care) treatment in septic shock patients. This trial will determine whether there are better predictors of septic shock severity. This approach may inform more appropriate treatment regimens and improve outcomes for these patients.

Alterations of the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System in sEptic Shock

Septic shock is a common and life-threatening condition associated with an in-hospital mortality rate exceeding 40%. The symptomatic management of septic shock relies primarily on vasopressor therapy, particularly norepinephrine. However, the use of high doses of norepinephrine may lead to adverse effects, prompting the search for alternative therapeutic strategies, including angiotensin II, which has recently been investigated as an adjunctive vasopressor. Indeed, alterations of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), particularly a relative deficiency of angiotensin II, have been hypothesized to occur during septic shock. However, to date, no human study has used gold-standard techniques for measuring RAAS peptides to confirm this hypothesis. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether these alterations are specific to septic shock or may also be observed in less severe infections (sepsis) or in other forms of circulatory failure, such as cardiogenic shock.

Effect of Targeting Upper Normal Serum Magnesium Levels on Norepinephrine Requirements in Septic Shock Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effect of targeting upper normal serum magnesium levels on norepinephrine requirements in adult patients with septic shock. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does maintaining upper normal serum magnesium levels lower the total cumulative dose and duration of norepinephrine therapy? 2. Does this approach reduce the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality? This study will compare an intervention group to a control group to see the effect of targeting upper normal serum magnesium levels. Participants will: * Have their serum magnesium levels assessed at baseline (Day 0), at three-day intervals (Days 3, 6, 9) thereafter and on the day of norepinephrine discontinuation. * Receive individualized intravenous magnesium sulfate infusions to achieve and maintain the target serum magnesium levels. * Have their demographic data collected and be monitored closely for clinical data, vital signs, Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), urine output and laboratory parameters.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Propofol-Ketamine Combination Versus Propofol Monotherapy in Geriatric Patients Under Invasive Ventilation

The study is a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of propofol-ketamine ("Ketofol") versus propofol monotherapy in geriatric ICU patients. Eligible participants are critically ill elderly patients with a history of cardiac disease who require endotracheal intubation and have not yet received sedation. The investigators focus on a specific population in which geriatric patients have different pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and are more prone to side effects than other populations. Primary outcome: Incidence of hemodynamic instability (defined as hypotension requiring vasopressors), measured by mean arterial pressure (MAP) at baseline, during intubation, and post-intubation at 1, 5, 10, 30, and then every 8h for 24 hours.

Effects of Hemoadsorption on Vascular Integrity in Septic Shock

This study aims to investigate the effects of adjunctive CytoSorb hemoadsorption therapy versus standard medical treatment on endothelial dysfunction in patients with refractory septic shock. The investigators hypothesize that hemoadsorption mitigates endothelial and glycocalyx injury by removing inflammatory mediators and other injurious circulating molecules, promoting hemodynamic stabilization.

Comparison of Manual PAOP and Automatic PAOP (Smart Wedge)

The pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz) is a standard tool in intensive care for measuring and monitoring the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP). The Swan-Ganz IQ™ model also allows automatic measurement to reduce the risk of error (Smart Wedge). However, the concordance between this automatic method and the manual method remains poorly studied in real clinical conditions and may vary depending on certain clinical situations. This study therefore aims to compare the PAOP automatically measured (Smart Wedge) with the manual PAOP measurement at bedside based on data collected in clinical practice.

Albumin and Crystalloid Administration in Septic Shock

The current guideline emphasizes fluid resuscitation as the mainstay of initial management for septic shock. Albumin has the oncotic activity to maintain intravascular volumes with additional beneficial properties in sepsis. Prior studies showed that the replacement of albumin might have survival advantages in patients with septic shock. The investigators aim to assess whether the early administration of albumin with crystalloid as initial fluid resuscitation improves survival in patients with septic shock compared to resuscitation without albumin.

ARTICE® Real Data Collection & Observational Trial, Phase 4 Study

The objectives of this registry study are to: 1. Record real-life data related to the use of the ARTICE® therapy in sepsis subjects. 2. Further evaluate ARTICE® treatment efficacy. 3. Identify potential sub-groups, assess their risk-benefit- and safety profile. 4. Changes in SOFA score D0 to SOFA Score D7.

Septic Shock-induced Immunosuppression

Septic syndromes are a major although largely under-recognized health care problem and represent the first cause of mortality in intensive care units (ICU). While it has long been known that sepsis deeply perturbs immune homeostasis by inducing a tremendous systemic inflammatory response, novel findings indicate that sepsis indeed initiates a more complex immune response that varies over time, with the concomitant occurrence of both pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. As a resultant, after a short pro-inflammatory phase, septic patients enter a stage of protracted immunosuppression. This is illustrated in those patients by reactivation of dormant viruses (cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)) or infections due to pathogens, including fungi, which are normally pathogenic solely in immunocompromised hosts. These alterations might be directly responsible for worsening outcome in patients who survived initial resuscitation as nearly all immune functions are deeply compromised. New promising therapeutic strategies are currently emerging from those recent findings such as adjunctive immunostimulation for the most immunosuppressed patients. The prerequisite for immunostimulation administration (Interferon gama (IFNg), Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 7 (IL-7)) however relies on clinicians' capacity to identify patients who could benefit the most from these immunoadjuvant therapies, as there is no clinical sign of immune dysfunctions. In this context, the main objectives of IMMUNOSEPSIS 4 study are: 1. to identify the best biomarkers for sepsis-induced immunosuppression 2. to evaluate ex vivo candidate treatments which could rejuvenate immune functions after septic shock

Continuous Infusion Versus Intermittent Bolus Hydrocortisone in Septic Shock

Septic shock is a life-threatening condition in which infection causes dangerously low blood pressure and organ dysfunction despite fluid resuscitation and vasopressor treatment. Hydrocortisone is commonly used in patients with septic shock who continue to require vasopressors. However, it is uncertain whether hydrocortisone should be administered as a continuous intravenous infusion or as intermittent intravenous bolus doses. This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether continuous intravenous hydrocortisone infusion improves clinical outcomes compared with intermittent intravenous hydrocortisone boluses in adult patients with septic shock. Participants receive either hydrocortisone 200 mg/day by continuous infusion or hydrocortisone 50 mg intravenously every 6 hours, in addition to standard septic shock management. The study evaluates 28-day mortality, recovery from shock, duration of vasopressor therapy, mechanical ventilation duration, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, inflammatory markers, and organ dysfunction scores.

Association Between Muscle L3 CT Scan Muscle Derived Parameters of Muscle Function Upon Intensive Care Unit Admission and 3 Months Mortality After ICU Discharge for Patients Admitted for Septic Shock. The SIMS Study

Muscle dysfunction in intensive care units is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. During septic shock, there is an increased catabolism and systemic inflammation resulting in quantitative and qualitative muscle impairment. In the intensive care setting, quantitative and qualitative assessment of muscle function is challenging due to critical care environments (general anesthesia, altered consciousness, etc.). CT scan measurement at the 3rd lumbar level has been proposed to evaluate muscle function. Recent retrospective studies have highlighted increased mortality among patients with muscle mass impairment and/or decreased muscle density.

BioMArkeRs of INflammation, Infection, and Immunity in the Critical Area (MARINA): the Use of Inflammatory and Immunity Biomarkers as Early Predictors of Clinical Severity, Organ Damage, Response to Treatment, and Infectious Complications in Patients Admitted to the Critical Care Area.

The MARINA study (bioMARkers of INflammation, infection, and immunity in critical cAre) is a multicenter, prospective and retrospective observational cohort study designed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of inflammatory and immune biomarkers in critically ill patients. The study enrolls adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to intensive care or step-down units who present with signs or symptoms of active infection, including sepsis and septic shock. Three main patient populations are targeted: (1) patients with suspected or confirmed infection (community- or hospital-acquired); (2) patients undergoing high-risk major surgery (cardiac, thoracic, or abdominal) under general anesthesia; and (3) immunocompromised patients (solid organ transplant, HSCT, bone marrow transplant, CAR-T cell therapy, or other severe immunosuppression). Serial measurements of established and emerging biomarkers - including procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, MR-proadrenomedullina, copeptin, ferritin, interleukin-6, troponin, D-dimer, lactate, lymphocyte subpopulations, and immunoglobulins - are collected at predefined time points (T1: within 24 hours; T2: within 72 hours; T7: at day 7 of ICU admission) and integrated with clinical data on a dedicated electronic platform. The primary endpoint is 28-day mortality. Secondary endpoints include assessment of organ damage, clinical severity, response to treatment, infectious complications (including VAP and bacteremia), superinfections (bacterial, viral, fungal), ICU and hospital length of stay, and the ability of biomarkers to guide antimicrobial de-escalation. Long-term survival at 90 and 180 days is also assessed. A minimum sample size of 200 patients (prospective phase) is planned across participating centers in Italy and Spain. The study duration is four years from ethical approval.