CRITICAL ILLNESS

This study looks at whether keeping magnesium levels higher or lower in critically ill patients (like those with severe infections or heart attacks) can help them live longer and avoid a common heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation. About 3,250 ICU adults will be random…

This study looks at whether a personalized nutrition plan from a dietitian helps critically ill patients get more energy and protein during their hospital stay and for six months after. About 300 adults in the intensive care unit will be split into two groups: one gets usual care…

This study tests whether giving intensive care patients intravenous fluids with less salt (sodium chloride) helps them recover faster. 640 adults expected to stay in the ICU for several days will be randomly assigned to receive either standard saline fluids or lower-salt alternat…

This study looks at whether giving extra nutrition through a vein earlier (day 4) versus later (day 8) helps critically ill patients live longer. It includes 946 adults with organ failure who cannot get enough nutrition from tube feeding. The goal is to see if early nutrition red…

This study tests a program called PICU Up! that helps critically ill children start moving earlier in the intensive care unit. The program combines gentle activity with better sedation and sleep practices. Researchers want to see if this approach can reduce the time children need…

This study looks at whether the type of intravenous (IV) fluid given to patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (a type of brain bleed) affects their recovery. The researchers want to see if a fluid with a different salt content can reduce dangerous complications like brain spasm…

This study looks at whether giving critically ill patients extra protein through their feeding tube can reduce the chance of death within 90 days. About 2502 adults who are on breathing machines will be split into two groups: one gets standard protein, the other gets a high-prote…

This early-stage study tests a drug called DNase I given through a vein to 36 ICU patients with sepsis. The main goal is to check if the drug is safe and feasible to give in this setting. Researchers will also track how patients' organ function changes over time.

This study looks at how much IV fluid should be given to children with serious injuries. Doctors want to see if giving less fluid leads to fewer complications like swelling, bleeding, or infections. About 250 children aged 6 months to 15 years will take part. The goal is to creat…

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 were in the ICU for more than 24 hours. Participants receive one…

This study looks at whether giving gamma globulin (a blood product with antibodies) can help children in the ICU who have severe infections and a dangerous overreaction called an inflammatory storm. The goal is to see if it lowers the risk of death and shortens time in the ICU. R…

This study compares two sedative drugs—dexmedetomidine and midazolam—in children aged up to 11 years who are on breathing machines in the ICU. The goal is to see which drug better reduces delirium (sudden confusion) and improves recovery. About 372 children will take part, and re…

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

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 looks at whether montelukast, an asthma drug, is safe and how it works in very premature babies at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious lung condition. About 28 critically ill infants born before 28 weeks and weighing under 1000 grams will receive …

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 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 a bedside ultrasound test, called renal resistive index, can detect acute kidney injury early in high-risk patients in the surgical intensive care unit. About 100 adults with conditions like severe pre-eclampsia, trauma, or sepsis will be enrolled. The…

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. About 200 adults on breathing machines or heart-support medications will receive either magnesium or a placebo. The main…

This study tests whether listening to music can prevent delirium in adults aged 65 and older in the intensive care unit (ICU). Participants will listen to either personalized music or relaxing music through headphones twice daily for 7 days. Researchers will compare these groups …

This study tests whether playing brain-training games on a virtual reality headset can improve memory, attention, and thinking skills in adults who recently left the intensive care unit (ICU). About 51 participants will be split into three groups: VR games, tablet games, or stand…

This study tests a home-based rehabilitation program for people who were critically ill with COVID-19. Participants use a mobile app to guide them through exercise sessions, including high-intensity interval training. The goal is to improve walking distance, fitness, and physical…

This study looks at whether medical honey (Activon®) can help heal wounds faster in intensive care patients compared to standard treatments. About 60 adults with fresh wounds (like pressure sores or cuts) will take part. The main goal is to see if honey reduces wound size and pai…

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. The goal is to help restore gut health and reduce inflammation, which …

This study tests whether a self-balancing exoskeleton called Atalante X can safely help patients stand and walk soon after chest surgery in the intensive care unit. Five adults recovering from thoracic surgery who have trouble moving will use the device up to 3 times per week for…

This study looks at whether listening to live or recorded music can 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 saliva tes…

This study tests a mobile app called ICUconnect that helps older adults in the ICU and their families report their needs and get better support. The app aims to improve care and reduce emotional distress. About 350 patient-family pairs will take part across four hospitals.

This study tests whether high doses of inhaled nitric oxide (a gas) can help severely ill pneumonia patients who are on breathing machines. About 34 adults will receive either the gas or a placebo for 5 days. Researchers will track how the body handles the gas and whether it impr…

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

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 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 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 uses bedside ultrasound to track muscle loss, fat changes, and fluid buildup in critically ill pregnant and gynecological patients. Researchers will see if these body changes are linked to serious outcomes like death, need for a breathing machine, or longer ICU stays. …

This study looks at how blood flow in the gut changes after feeding in critically ill ICU patients. Doctors will use a bedside ultrasound to measure these changes and see if they can predict gut injury. The goal is to make feeding safer and reduce complications. About 80 adults w…

This study looks at whether calculating protein needs based on lean body mass (instead of total body weight) helps critically ill patients in the ICU keep their muscle and recover better. About 620 adults will be observed, with half receiving protein based on actual weight and ha…

This study looks at whether combining two simple tests—one that measures breathing patterns and another that checks inflammation and nutrition levels in the blood—can better predict when critically ill patients are ready to be taken off a breathing machine. Researchers will follo…

This study checks if a new blood pressure cuff and monitor from Philips gives the same readings as the standard method using an artery line. About 189 critically ill patients in intensive care or operating rooms will take part. The goal is to see if the non-invasive cuff is accur…

This study looks at how short bursts of high oxygen affect blood flow in the brains of ICU patients on breathing machines. Researchers will temporarily increase oxygen levels and use a non-invasive ultrasound to monitor brain artery blood flow. The goal is to learn more, not to p…

This study looks at whether stopping tube feeding for at least 8 hours before a procedure (fasting) or stopping it right before (not fasting) is better for critically ill patients on breathing machines. About 1,072 adults in the ICU will be randomly assigned to one of two groups.…

This study looks at whether it's possible to track sleep and the body's internal clock in critically ill children aged 3 to 6 in the pediatric ICU. Researchers will use a watch-like device and saliva tests to measure sleep and melatonin levels. They will also test if giving brigh…

This study looks at whether increased pressure inside the belly (intra-abdominal hypertension) leads to tiny amounts of stomach fluid entering the lungs (microaspiration) in patients with severe liver disease (cirrhosis) who are on a breathing machine. Researchers will measure be…

This study looks at 315 critically ill patients who need a central line but have veins that are small or collapse with breathing. Researchers will compare three different insertion sites using ultrasound to see which works best on the first try. The goal is to reduce failed attem…

This study looks at why many ICU patients, especially those with sepsis, develop lasting muscle weakness. Researchers will test 50 adults who were on a breathing machine for at least 7 days and have left the hospital. Participants will do exercise tests to measure heart and muscl…

This study looks at how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing in critically ill adults in the ICU. Researchers will measure muscle size and strength, and test swallowing safety in 160 patients. The goal is to find better ways to diagnose and treat swallowing p…

This study tests whether connecting an ambulance to a remote children's emergency doctor via a simple video call can improve care for seriously ill children in low-resource settings. Researchers in Karachi, Pakistan will compare health outcomes for 900 children who either receive…

This study looks at why some patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) get severe muscle weakness after surgery. Researchers will take blood and small muscle samples from 20 high-risk patients to find chemical changes that might cause or predict this weakness. The goal is to lear…

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 to guide treatment decisions for military personnel and civilians. The stud…

This study looks at how the pain medicine remifentanil behaves in underweight intensive care patients who need a breathing machine. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood and check vital signs like blood pressure. The goal is to find the right dose for this vulnerable …

This study looks at whether starting kidney dialysis earlier or later helps critically ill patients with sudden kidney failure live longer. Researchers will review records from over 50,000 ICU patients in Sweden. The goal is to find the best timing for dialysis to improve surviva…

This study looks at whether a low level of creatinine (a waste product in the blood) can predict if a critically ill patient will need a breathing machine for a long time. Researchers will also test if giving a creatine supplement can help patients breathe on their own sooner. Ab…

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. Researchers will measure blood sugar control, gut function, sleep quality, and muscle mass. About 124 part…

This study gathers health information from 5000 children (0-18 years) with severe pneumonia or sepsis across multiple hospitals in China. Researchers will analyze this data to learn how common severe infections are, what treatments work best, and how to predict which children are…

This study is creating a tool to predict the chance 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 for elderly patients…

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

This study looks at how the immune system responds in critically ill patients with severe fungal infections in the abdomen. Researchers will measure a specific immune marker (HLA-DR) in 100 ICU patients to see if lower levels are linked to worse infections. The goal is to better …

This study looks at whether giving ICU staff real-time feedback and having a dedicated nurse facilitator can increase the use of a set of proven practices (the ABCDEF bundle) for adults on breathing machines. About 8,100 patients across multiple ICUs will take part. The goal is t…

This study looks at two ways of doing bed-cycling exercise for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who are at risk of muscle weakness. One method is steady, moderate cycling, and the other alternates between high and low intensity. Researchers will measure muscle oxygen and…

This trial aims to improve care for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by testing many treatments at once in a flexible, ongoing way. It will include 10,000 adult ICU patients and measure outcomes like survival, time off life support, and quality of life. The …

This study looks at whether giving critically ill patients more protein (1.3 grams per kilogram per day) helps them build muscle better than the standard amount (0.8 grams). Researchers will measure muscle growth using muscle biopsies and blood samples. The goal is to find a simp…

This study looks at how a special breathing method (negative pressure ventilation) affects the heart's right side in people who have a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). About 30 adults who recently had LVAD surgery and are stable will try both standard and negative pressure …

This study watches 150 adult ICU patients on breathing machines to see how often they develop joint stiffness (contractures). Researchers measure joint movement and track factors like sedation and immobility. The goal is to find ways to prevent these problems and improve recovery…

This study aims to create and test a new way to set therapy goals for children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Researchers will first ask a group of experts to agree on the best methods, then try these methods with a small number of caregivers and hospital staff. The…

This study looks at how the immune system and inflammation affect recovery in 540 adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers will collect extra blood samples to measure specific markers and build models that predict survival and infections over one year. The go…

This study looks at whether measuring blood flow in the stomach and intestines can help predict which critically ill patients will have trouble with tube feeding. Researchers will monitor 500 ICU patients and use machine learning to build prediction models. The goal is to improve…

This study looks at why many people who survive a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) develop long-lasting muscle weakness. Researchers will measure inflammation, metabolism, and muscle cell function in 100 patients who had a critical illness or major abdominal surgery. The goa…

This study is for people aged 65 and older who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers want to see if combining a blood test (CALLY index), a frailty score, and a severity score (SOFA-2) can better predict who might die in the ICU compared to standard methods. …

This study compares two methods of measuring stroke volume (how much blood the heart pumps per beat) in people with shock. Researchers will use both an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography) and a noninvasive monitor that tracks blood flow (bioreactance) in 30 critically ill …

This study is looking for new markers in blood and urine that can predict kidney injury after heart surgery in high-risk patients. Researchers will test samples from 1491 adults before and after surgery. The goal is to find better ways to identify patients at risk so doctors can …

This study aims to accurately measure how much energy critically ill patients use while in the ICU. Many ICU patients are malnourished, which can lead to worse outcomes. Researchers will use a special water test (doubly labelled water) that tracks energy use through urine samples…

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 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 testing whether a common substance, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), can be used as a safe contrast agent to create images of lung blood flow using a bedside device called electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The study involves 41 adults in the intensive care uni…

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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…