CRITICAL ILLNESS

This early-stage study tests whether a drug called DNase I is safe and feasible to give intravenously to ICU patients with sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can cause organ failure. The trial will enroll 36 adults and focus on safety, not yet on curi…

This study compares two sedative medications—dexmedetomidine and midazolam—in 372 critically ill children aged up to 11 years who need breathing machines. The goal is to see which drug better reduces delirium (a form of acute brain dysfunction) and improves recovery, including th…

This study tests whether a large dose of vitamin D3 can lower the risk of death within 28 days for critically ill adults who are severely deficient in vitamin D. Researchers aim to enroll 2,400 patients in intensive care units. Earlier research suggested a strong survival benefit…

This study looks at whether patients in the ICU who need a breathing tube can keep getting nutrition right up until their tracheostomy surgery. The goal is to see if this helps them get more food without increasing the risk of food going into the lungs or causing lung infections.…

This study tests whether using a real-time lung imaging tool called electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to guide breathing therapy can help adults who have been on a breathing machine for 21 days or more get off the ventilator faster. About 200 participants will either receive …

This study looks at whether giving critically ill patients extra protein through their feeding tube can lower the chance of death within 90 days. About 2502 adults on breathing machines will get either a high-protein diet or a moderate-protein diet starting from day 5 in the ICU.…

This study looks at whether giving gamma globulin (a blood product) can help children with severe infections who develop an inflammatory storm—a dangerous overreaction of the immune system that can cause organ failure and death. Researchers will compare 200 children who receive g…

This study tests a program called PICU Up! that helps children in the intensive care unit start moving earlier, while also managing sedation, preventing delirium, promoting sleep, and involving families. The goal is to see if this approach reduces the time children need a breathi…

This study looks at whether keeping magnesium at a higher or lower target helps critically ill patients live longer and have fewer heart rhythm problems. About 3,250 adults in the ICU will be assigned to one of two magnesium replacement protocols. No extra tests or surveys are ne…

This study looks at whether a dietitian-designed nutrition plan helps critically ill patients get more energy and protein during and after their hospital stay. About 300 adults in the intensive care unit will either receive usual care or a personalized diet plan for up to 6 month…

This study looks at whether montelukast, a drug used for asthma, is safe and how it works in very premature infants who are at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious lung condition. About 28 babies born before 28 weeks and weighing less than 1000 grams will rec…

This study tests whether a single dose of either zoledronic acid or denosumab can prevent bone loss in older adults who have been in the intensive care unit (ICU). It includes 450 women aged 50+ and men aged 70+ who spent at least 2 days in the ICU. Participants receive one of th…

This study is testing whether azithromycin, an antibiotic, can reduce inflammation in children aged 3-17 hospitalized with severe asthma. About 100 participants will receive the drug alongside standard care. Researchers will measure changes in blood markers and track side effects…

This study looks at whether the type of intravenous (IV) fluid given to people who have had a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhage) can reduce serious complications like brain spasms and death. About 320 adult patients will be randomly assigned to receive one of two common IV flu…

This study looks at whether giving intensive care patients IV fluids with less salt can help them get off life support sooner. About 640 adults expected to stay in the ICU for several days will be randomly assigned to receive either standard salt-containing fluids or lower-salt a…

This is a small, early-stage study to see if giving high doses of inhaled nitric oxide (a gas) is safe and might help adults with severe pneumonia who are on a breathing machine. Researchers will compare the gas treatment to a placebo (sham treatment) in 34 patients. The main goa…

This study looks at whether a quick bedside ultrasound can catch acute kidney injury earlier than usual methods in high-risk ICU patients. Researchers will measure the kidney's blood flow resistance daily and compare it with standard blood and urine tests. The goal is to find a f…

This study tests whether giving magnesium to critically ill patients in the ICU can prevent a common heart rhythm problem called new-onset atrial fibrillation. The trial will include 200 adults on breathing machines or heart support medications. It aims to see if this approach is…

This study is testing whether listening to music can help prevent delirium, a serious state of confusion, in older adults who are critically ill in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Researchers will enroll 330 patients to compare personalized music playlists, generic relaxing music,…

This study tests whether a self-balancing exoskeleton called Atalante X can safely help patients stand and walk soon after chest surgery in the ICU. Five adults who are weak after surgery will use the device up to 3 times a week for 2 weeks. The goal is to see if it reduces compl…

This study tests whether medical honey can help heal wounds faster in intensive care patients compared to standard care. About 60 adults with fresh wounds (less than 8 days old) will take part. The main goal is to see if honey reduces wound size and pain after 15 days.

This study tests a mental health support program for 150 people who recently left the ICU. The program includes digital tools, coaching, and psychiatric help to reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. Participants are compared to those receiving usual care over six months.

This study compares two sedatives, ciprofol and propofol, in ICU patients who need breathing support but are not on a ventilator. The goal is to see which drug works better and causes fewer breathing problems. About 1,680 adults from 30 hospitals in China will be included, and re…

This study looks at whether adding gentle electrical stimulation to the legs, alongside standard physical therapy, can help critically ill patients on breathing machines keep or regain muscle strength. About 150 adults in the ICU will be randomly assigned to receive either usual …

This study looks at whether a drug called remazolam besylate is as good as or better than another sedative (dexmedetomidine) for keeping critically ill patients calm and comfortable while they are on a breathing machine after non-cardiac surgery. About 306 adults aged 18-64 who n…

This study tests a mobile app called ICUconnect that helps older ICU patients and their families report their needs and get better support. The app aims to reduce stress and improve care quality. The trial will involve 350 patient-family pairs across four hospitals.

This study tests a combination of sleep-promoting and circadian-aligning treatments (a "chronobundle") in 160 critically ill ICU patients. The goal is to see if this bundle can realign patients' internal body clocks, improve sleep quality, and boost metabolism. Participants must …

This study tests a communication tool where parents of children with severe neurological problems share photos and stories with ICU doctors. The goal is to see if this helps reduce stress and improve understanding during hospital stays. About 160 parents and children will take pa…

This study looks at whether listening to live or recorded music can help lower stress and pain in children who are on breathing machines in the intensive care unit. About 171 children, ages 2 months to 17 years, will take part. Researchers will measure stress and pain using saliv…

This study observes 60 ICU patients on breathing machines to see if a special device can measure breathing effort and predict who will successfully breathe on their own. Participants will have their breathing muscles and oxygen use monitored during a standard breathing test. The …

This study looks at whether measuring blood flow in the gut can help predict feeding intolerance in critically ill patients. Researchers will monitor 500 ICU patients receiving tube feeding for 7 days and track symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating. The goal is to build a…

This study watches 150 adults in the intensive care unit who are on breathing machines to see how often they develop stiff joints (contractures). Researchers measure joint movement and track factors like sedation and immobility. The goal is to find ways to prevent these complicat…

This study looks at two strategies to help ICU staff consistently use a set of proven care steps for adults on breathing machines. These steps aim to reduce pain, confusion, weakness, and other serious complications. About 8,100 patients will take part to see which strategy works…

This study looks at how severe injuries change the brain, bone marrow, and gut, and how these changes cause long-term anemia and slow recovery. Researchers will study 275 adults with serious blunt trauma to understand these interactions. The goal is to find new ways to help peopl…

This study collects small breath and blood samples from 200 intensive care patients who are on breathing machines. Researchers will analyze proteins in the breath and compare them with DNA, RNA, and other markers in the blood. The goal is to find patterns that could help doctors …

This study is collecting health information from 5,000 children in China who have severe infections like sepsis. The goal is to learn how common these infections are, what treatments work best, and how to predict which children will get very sick. No new treatments are being test…

This study collects blood, urine, spinal fluid, and tissue samples from 5,000 seriously injured or ill patients and healthy volunteers. Researchers will use these samples to develop better tests and tools for doctors to decide the best treatment plans. The goal is to improve care…

This study aims to understand why many people who survive a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) continue to have muscle weakness. Researchers will compare 100 ICU patients with 100 elective surgery patients to see how inflammation and energy production in cells affect muscle re…

This study looks at how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing in adults who are critically ill and in intensive care. Researchers will measure muscle size and strength, and test swallowing safety at several points during the hospital stay. The goal is to find …

This study looks at why some patients become very weak after being in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers will take blood and small muscle samples from 20 high-risk surgical patients to find chemical changes linked to muscle weakness. The goal is to better understand the p…

This study is creating a tool to predict the risk of death in people aged 75 or older who are very sick in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers will follow 450 patients for 90 days to see who survives. The goal is to help doctors make better decisions about care for older, …

This study aims to create and test new ways to set goals for children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Researchers will first gather expert opinions through surveys, then try out the strategies with a small group of caregivers and clinicians. The goal is to make sure …

This study looks at how the pain medicine remifentanil behaves in low-weight intensive care patients who need a breathing machine. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood and check blood pressure changes. The goal is to find the right dose for this group to improve safe…

This study looks at how the immune system responds in critically ill patients with severe abdominal infections. Researchers want to understand why some patients develop a serious fungal infection while others do not. They will measure a specific immune marker (HLA-DR) in the bloo…

This study looks at whether giving extra nutrition (through a vein) earlier (on day 4) versus later (on day 8) helps critically ill patients live longer. About 946 adults in the ICU who cannot eat enough will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The main goal is to see …

This study looks at how the immune system and inflammation affect recovery in 540 adults admitted to intensive care. Researchers will take extra blood samples to measure immune cells and inflammatory markers, then track patients for one year to see who survives and who develops i…

This study aims to understand how different types of early movement and rehabilitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) affect patients' recovery. Researchers will observe over 6,000 adults from ICUs around the world, recording their usual care and tracking their physical functio…

This study is looking for new markers in blood and urine that can predict kidney damage after heart surgery. Researchers will test samples from about 1,500 high-risk adults before and after their operation. The goal is to find better ways to identify patients who may develop kidn…

This study tests whether a common substance, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), can be used as a safe contrast agent to create images of lung blood flow using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in adults on breathing machines. About 41 ICU participants will receive two small in…

This study looks at 80 critically ill ICU patients who need feeding tubes. Doctors will use a bedside ultrasound to measure blood flow in the gut after feeding. The goal is to see if changes in blood flow can predict gut injury, so feeding can be made safer and more personalized.

This study looks at whether giving critically ill patients more protein (1.3 grams per kilogram of body weight per day) can help their muscles grow or maintain strength compared to a normal amount (0.8 grams). The goal is to reduce muscle wasting that often happens in the ICU. Re…

This study checks if a new blood pressure cuff and monitor from Philips gives the same readings as the standard arterial line used in intensive care. About 189 critically ill patients, including newborns and adults, will take part. The goal is to see if the non-invasive method is…

This study looks at whether giving protein all at once (bolus) or slowly over time (continuous) helps critically ill children ages 1 to 11 maintain weight and muscle better. Researchers will measure arm size and use ultrasound to track changes over two weeks. The goal is to find …

This study looks at how protein is given to critically ill patients in the ICU. It compares the old method (based on total body weight) with a newer method (based on lean body mass measured by a special device). The goal is to see which approach helps patients keep muscle, recove…

This study measures how much energy critically ill patients burn using a safe, non-invasive water test. About 50 adults in the ICU who are expected to stay at least 5 days will take part. The goal is to improve nutrition planning and help patients recover better.

This study is watching 42 adults who had surgery and then went to the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers want to see if a blood marker called IL-6 and other inflammation scores can help predict who might die or have serious problems in the hospital. The goal is to learn if th…

This study tests if connecting ambulances carrying seriously ill children to a remote emergency doctor via a simple audio-video device improves care. Researchers in Karachi, Pakistan will compare health outcomes for 900 children who either receive a telemedicine call during trans…

This study looks at 30 critically ill adults with shock to see if a noninvasive monitor (bioreactance) measures stroke volume as accurately as standard ultrasound. Participants will have both tests done during a leg-raising maneuver. The goal is to find a simpler, faster way to g…

This study aims to improve care for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by testing many treatments at once in a flexible 'platform trial.' It will include up to 10,000 adults admitted to the ICU. The goal is to quickly learn which treatments work best and which…

This study looks at how short bursts of high oxygen affect blood flow in the brains of ICU patients who are on breathing machines. Researchers will safely increase oxygen levels for a brief time and use ultrasound to monitor brain artery responses. The goal is to learn how to bet…

This study looks at whether high pressure in the belly (intra-abdominal hypertension) causes more fluid to leak into the lungs in people with severe liver disease (cirrhosis) who are on breathing machines. Researchers will measure belly pressure and check for signs of lung fluid …

This study tests whether a structured training program for ICU staff can reduce post-intensive care syndrome (PICS)—physical, thinking, or emotional problems that can occur after a serious illness. About 900 adults who stay in the ICU for at least 48 hours will be followed for up…

This study looks at 7,000 adults who spent at least 5 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). The goal is to find different patterns among patients who stay longer than 10-14 days, a condition called Persistent Critical Illness. By analyzing medical records, the researchers hope t…

This study will track 10,000 children admitted to intensive care units across Asia. The goal is to understand their health problems and outcomes, find factors that lead to poor results, and create tools to predict how long they will stay and whether they will survive. No new trea…

This study examines whether starting continuous dialysis (CRRT) early in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury improves survival compared to starting it later. Researchers will analyze data from over 50,000 ICU patients in Sweden, focusing on 90-day death rates and lon…

This study looks at whether stopping tube feeding for at least 8 hours before a procedure helps or harms recovery in critically ill patients on breathing machines. About 1,072 participants will be randomly assigned to either fast or not fast before their procedure. Researchers wi…

This study looks at whether a campaign called Choosing Wisely can safely reduce unnecessary medical tests in intensive care units (ICUs). About 10,000 adult patients in Swedish ICUs will take part. The goal is to see if using fewer tests affects survival rates and recovery.

This study looks at three different spots to place a central line (a large IV) in critically ill patients whose neck veins are small or collapse with breathing. Using ultrasound guidance, the goal is to find which site works best on the first try. About 315 adults will take part …

This study follows 209 adults who survived a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for sepsis or breathing failure. Researchers want to understand why some people regain muscle strength and function while others do not. Participants will undergo physical tests and provide muscle …

This study looks at whether a low creatinine level in the blood when a patient arrives at a special care unit can predict if they will need a breathing machine for a long time. It also tests if giving a creatine supplement can help them breathe on their own sooner. About 492 crit…

This study uses bedside ultrasound to measure changes in muscle, fat, and fluid in critically ill pregnant and gynecological patients. Researchers will track 121 women in the ICU to see if these body changes relate to serious outcomes like death or need for breathing support. The…

This pilot study looks at whether it's possible to track sleep and body clock rhythms in critically ill children ages 3 to 6 in the pediatric ICU. Researchers will use a watch-like device and saliva tests to measure sleep patterns. They will also test if giving bright light durin…

This study is observing 1,000 adults in the intensive care unit (ICU) to learn more about why some people get very sick from infections or injuries. Researchers will collect blood samples and health data to find early signs that could help diagnose serious conditions like sepsis …

This study is gathering information from 1,000 intensive care patients to learn what normal pupil measurements look like when using a special device called a pupillometer. The goal is to create a standard set of values for pupil size and reactivity, which can help doctors better …

This study looks at whether giving tube feeding only during the day (intermittent) is better than feeding around the clock (continuous) for critically ill adults in the ICU. The main goal is to see which method leads to more stable blood sugar levels. About 124 participants will …

This study looks at why many people who survive a serious illness in the ICU develop lasting muscle weakness. Researchers will test the heart and muscle function of 50 adults who were on a breathing machine for at least 7 days. The goal is to better understand how sepsis and crit…

This study tests whether a diet rich in fermented foods (like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut) is tolerable and can improve quality of life for people who survived a critical illness, including severe COVID-19. Researchers will look at gut health, inflammation, and mental and musc…

This study tests a new, non-invasive device that uses light to measure blood flow and oxygen in the arm muscle of critically ill ICU patients. The goal is to see if these light-based measurements can predict whether a patient will benefit from more fluids, compared to standard in…

This study looks at whether a special breathing method (negative pressure ventilation) can improve heart function in people who have a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a mechanical heart pump. Researchers will compare this method to standard breathing support in 30 patients…

This study looks at two different bed-cycling exercises for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are at risk of muscle weakness. Researchers want to see if short bursts of harder cycling (interval training) work better than steady, moderate cycling for improving muscle o…