CRITICAL ILLNESS

This trial tests a real-time algorithm-driven system that gives doctors feedback on ventilator settings to protect the lungs of critically ill patients. The study will include 208 adults on breathing machines with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The goal is to see if …

This study tests whether a device called MyokinE100, which sends electrical signals to the thigh muscles, is safe and practical for use in the ICU. It includes 50 critically ill patients with sepsis who are at risk of muscle weakness. Half will receive standard care plus daily 60…

This study tests whether a 4-month structured telerehabilitation program, delivered via video calls and an app, can reduce deaths and hospital readmissions in heart patients who have Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). About 326 adults aged 30-75 who were in the ICU for at least…

This study tests montelukast, an asthma drug, in 28 premature infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious lung condition. Researchers want to see if the drug is safe and how it moves through the body. The infants receive montelukast or a placebo daily for…

This early-stage trial tests whether high doses of inhaled nitric oxide gas are safe and potentially helpful for critically ill pneumonia patients on breathing machines. About 34 adults will receive either the gas or a sham treatment for 5 days. Researchers will monitor blood oxy…

This study looks at whether giving less intravenous (IV) fluid to critically ill children with traumatic injuries leads to fewer complications. Currently, there is no standard for how much fluid these children should receive. The trial will enroll 250 children aged 6 months to 15…

This study tests whether using a real-time lung imaging tool (EIT) to guide breathing therapy helps people who have been on a breathing machine for a long time. The goal is to see if this personalized approach helps them breathe on their own sooner compared to standard therapy. T…

This study looks at 320 adults who had a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhage) to see if the type of IV fluid they receive affects their recovery. The goal is to find out if a fluid with a specific salt content can reduce dangerous complications like blood vessel spasms and brain…

This study looks at whether keeping magnesium at a higher or lower level helps critically ill patients live longer and have fewer heart rhythm problems. About 3,250 adults in intensive care will be assigned to one of two magnesium replacement protocols. No extra tests or tasks ar…

This study tests whether adding neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to standard physical therapy helps ICU patients on breathing machines recover muscle strength. About 150 adults will be randomly assigned to get either physical therapy alone or physical therapy plus NMES…

This study tests a program called PICU Up! that helps critically ill children start moving earlier while in the pediatric intensive care unit. The program includes daily activity plans, better sedation management, and family involvement. Researchers want to see if this approach r…

This study looks at whether giving gamma globulin to children with severe infections and inflammatory storms can lower death rates and shorten time in the intensive care unit. Researchers will compare 200 children who received gamma globulin with those who did not. The goal is to…

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). The trial will include 450 women aged 50+ and men aged 70+ who spent at least 2 days in the ICU. Participants will r…

This early-stage trial tests whether an intravenous enzyme called DNase I is safe and feasible for ICU patients with sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can damage organs. The study will enroll 36 adults and monitor how many complete the treatment and …

This study looks at whether low creatinine levels in the blood can predict which patients will need a ventilator for a long time. It also tests if giving creatine supplements can help these patients breathe without support sooner. About 492 adults in post-ICU care will receive ei…

This study tests whether using lower-salt intravenous fluids in ICU patients reduces the number of days they need life support like ventilators or dialysis. Researchers will compare a salt-free glucose solution for medication dilution and a low-salt maintenance fluid against the …

This study tests whether azithromycin, an antibiotic, can reduce airway inflammation in children ages 3-17 hospitalized for critical asthma. One hundred participants will receive the drug for three days while researchers monitor inflammation markers and side effects. The goal is …

This study is testing whether giving high doses of vitamin D3 to critically ill patients with very low vitamin D levels can reduce the chance of death within 28 days. The trial will include 2,400 adults in intensive care units. If successful, this cheap and easy treatment could b…

This study looks at two different sedative medicines given to children on breathing machines in the ICU. The goal is to see which one causes less confusion (delirium) and helps the brain recover better. About 372 children up to age 11 will take part. The results could change how …

This study looks at whether starting extra nutrition through an IV earlier (on day 4) versus later (on day 8) helps critically ill patients survive. About 946 adults with organ failure who cannot get enough nutrition from a feeding tube will be randomly assigned to one of the two…

This study tests whether giving extra protein through feeding tubes to critically ill patients on ventilators can lower the chance of death within 90 days. About 2,500 adults in ICUs will get either a high-protein or standard-protein diet starting day 5. The goal is to see if mor…

This study tests whether personalized nutrition from a dietitian helps critically ill patients get more energy and protein during and after their ICU stay. Researchers will compare usual care with a tailored plan for 300 adults over 6 months. The goal is to see if this approach i…

This study is testing a new way to check the health of ICU patients who are on breathing machines. Researchers collect a small sample of the air patients breathe out and analyze its proteins. They also take a blood sample to look for related changes in DNA, RNA, and other molecul…

This study tests whether a bedside ultrasound technique called renal resistive index can detect acute kidney injury earlier than standard methods in high-risk ICU patients. Researchers will enroll 100 adults with conditions like severe pre-eclampsia, trauma, or sepsis. They will …

This study tests whether listening to music through headphones can prevent delirium in adults aged 65 and older in the intensive care unit. Participants will listen to either personalized or relaxing music twice daily for up to 7 days, while researchers track days free of deliriu…

This study tests whether giving magnesium through an IV can prevent new-onset atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. Researchers will enroll 200 adults and randomly assign them to receive either magnesium or a pl…

This pilot study tests a self-management program based on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people who survived acute respiratory failure and now struggle with anxiety. Sixty ICU survivors will either receive the program or usual care. The goal is to see if the program is prac…

This study tests whether remimazolam besylate works as well as dexmedetomidine for keeping patients lightly sedated while on a breathing machine after non-cardiac surgery. About 306 adults aged 18–64 will take part across five hospitals in China. The goal is to see if remimazolam…

This study tests whether a special ketone drink is safe and can help reduce confusion (delirium) in ICU patients. Delirium is common in the ICU and can lead to long-term thinking and memory problems. The study will give 40 adults either the ketone drink or a placebo to see if it …

This study tests a home-based exercise program for people who were hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Participants use a smartphone app to guide them through high-intensity interval training and other exercises. The goal is to see if this approach improves walking ability, fitnes…

This study tests a combination of sleep-promoting and circadian-aligning treatments (a "sleep chronobundle") in 160 critically ill ICU patients. The goal is to see if realigning the body's internal clock can improve sleep quality and metabolism. Participants will receive the bund…

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

This study looks at two sedatives, ciprofol and propofol, given to 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, …

This study looks at whether medical honey can help heal wounds in intensive care patients better than standard care. About 60 adults with fresh wounds (like pressure sores or cuts) will be randomly assigned to get either honey dressings or usual treatment. The main goal is to see…

This study tests a special mental health program for people who have been in the ICU. It includes coaching, digital tools, and psychiatric support to help with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The goal is to see if this program works better than usual care. About 150 adults who vis…

This study tests a mobile app called ICUconnect that helps older ICU patients and their families report their needs to doctors. The goal is to improve care and reduce emotional distress. About 350 patient-family pairs will take part across four hospitals.

This pilot study tests a communication tool for parents of children with severe neurological problems in the intensive care unit. Parents pick 1-3 photos that show what matters to their family and share them with doctors. The goal is to see if this approach is practical, acceptab…

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 tests whether a self-balancing exoskeleton called Atalante X can safely help patients stand and walk soon after chest surgery in the ICU. Being immobile after surgery can lead to muscle weakness and other complications, but early movement may improve recovery. The tria…

This study follows 209 adults who survived a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for sepsis or respiratory failure. Researchers will track their muscle strength, physical function, and cellular markers over a year to understand why some patients recover while others do not. The…

This study observes 30 adults with distributive shock who are on a ventilator and receiving norepinephrine to maintain blood pressure. Researchers measure critical closing pressure—the pressure at which small blood vessels collapse—before and 30 minutes after doctors reduce the n…

This study follows 350 older adults (65+) who return home after an ICU stay to see what help they still need with daily activities. Researchers will track disabilities, hospital readmissions, and deaths over six months. The goal is to identify gaps in care so better programs can …

This study brings together 30 healthcare experts from around the world to agree on the best ways to use a machine called Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation (MI-E) in intensive care units. MI-E helps clear mucus from the lungs, but there are no standard rules for its use in crit…

This study looks at why some people who survive a serious illness in the ICU develop long-lasting muscle weakness. Researchers will test 50 former ICU patients with exercise on a bike to measure heart and muscle function. The goal is to better understand this condition, not to te…

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 adults in the ICU will be randomly assigned to either fast or continue feeding until right before their …

This study looks at whether giving more protein (over 1.2 grams per kilogram per day) to critically ill patients with acute kidney injury helps their kidneys recover faster or causes harm. Researchers will review medical records from 344 adults in five Argentine ICUs, comparing t…

This study tests whether giving a drug to reverse muscle relaxants after placing a breathing tube helps doctors check brain function sooner. Thirty critically ill adults in the ICU will receive either sugammadex, neostigmine, or no reversal drug. Researchers will measure how quic…

This study looks at whether giving older trauma patients extra protein drinks (up to 3 times a day in the hospital and for 4 weeks after discharge) helps them regain muscle and function better than standard nutrition. Sixty adults aged 45 and older who can eat by mouth will be ra…

This study checks if a new Philips blood pressure cuff and monitor gives accurate readings compared to the standard arterial line method. About 189 critically ill patients in ICUs or operating rooms will take part. The goal is to see if the non-invasive device can reliably measur…

This study looks at whether doctors can rely on feeling a patient's pulse (in the neck, groin, or wrist) to know if their blood pressure is dangerously low during shock. Researchers will compare pulse checks with standard blood pressure readings in 5,000 critically ill adults in …

This study tests whether using a device that measures each patient's energy needs (indirect calorimetry) to guide nutrition improves quality of life in critically ill adults on breathing machines. About 356 patients will be randomly assigned to either personalized nutrition or st…

This study is looking for new markers in blood and urine that could predict kidney injury after heart surgery in high-risk patients. Researchers will follow about 1,500 adults undergoing open-heart surgery and check for kidney problems within a week. The goal is to find better wa…

This study is testing different treatments to reduce major complications and improve survival in 600 adults who need ECMO—a machine that does the work of the heart and lungs. Researchers will compare how well these treatments work in the first 28 days. The goal is to find safer, …

This study looks at whether combining two simple measures—a breathing test (RSBI) and a blood-based score (CALLY)—can better predict when ICU patients are ready to come off a breathing machine. About 105 adults will be followed for up to 7 days after the tube is removed. The goal…

This study is for people aged 65 and older who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers want to see if three simple health scores can predict the risk of dying in the ICU. The goal is to help doctors better understand which older patients need the most urgent ca…

This study will check if a new scoring system called SOFA-2 can better predict which ICU patients are likely to die within 30 days, compared to the current standard. Researchers will also measure how common sepsis and septic shock are in Turkish intensive care units. About 2,500 …

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 last months after a serious illness. About 900 adults who stay in the ICU for at least 48 hours will be followed …

This pilot study tests whether sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can be used safely as a contrast agent to map lung blood flow using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in adults on breathing machines. Researchers will compare it to standard hypertonic saline in 41 ICU patients.…

This study compares two methods for measuring stroke volume (how much blood the heart pumps) in people with shock. It will enroll 30 critically ill adults in the ICU. Researchers will use both an ultrasound (echocardiography) and a noninvasive monitor (bioreactance) to see how we…

This study looks at 7000 adult patients who stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 5 days. The goal is to find different patterns among those who remain critically ill for a long time (over 10-14 days). By analyzing medical data, researchers hope to understand why …

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

This study will track 10,000 children admitted to pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) across Asia. The goal is to understand what factors lead to better or worse outcomes, and to develop AI tools that can predict how long a child might need ICU care or their risk of death. No n…

This study tests whether it is possible to measure and improve sleep and body clock rhythms in children aged 3 to 6 who are in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Researchers will use a watch-like device and saliva tests to track sleep, and try two simple approaches: bright…

This study tests two ways of cycling while lying in a hospital bed for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). One method is steady cycling for 10-20 minutes, and the other is short bursts of harder cycling mixed with easier pedaling. The goal is to see which approach better a…

This study tests whether a non-invasive light-based device can predict how ICU patients respond to fluids. Researchers will shine light on the arm muscle to measure blood flow and oxygen, then compare it to standard invasive monitoring during a leg-raising maneuver. If successful…

This trial aims to improve care for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by testing many treatments at once in a flexible way. It will involve up to 10,000 adults admitted to the ICU. The goal is to quickly find which treatments work best and stop those that are…

This study will gather health information from 5,000 children in China who have severe infections like pneumonia or sepsis. The goal is to learn how common these infections are, how well different treatments work, and to create tools that can predict which children are at highest…

This study compares three different sites (internal jugular, subclavian, and innominate veins) for placing a central line using ultrasound in critically ill patients whose neck veins collapse or are very small. The goal is to see which site has the lowest failure rate on the firs…

This study tests whether giving tube feeding in four daytime portions (intermittent) is better than the standard 24-hour continuous drip for critically ill patients in the ICU. Researchers will track blood sugar control, gut function, sleep quality, and muscle loss in 124 adults …

This study is observing 42 postoperative patients in the intensive care unit to see if levels of a protein called IL-6 and other inflammation scores can predict who will die or have serious complications. Researchers will measure these markers at ICU arrival and 24 hours later, t…

This study is developing and testing a new way to set recovery goals for children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The method, based on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), focuses on what matters most to the child and their family. Researchers will f…

This pilot study is looking at why some patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) develop severe muscle weakness after surgery. Researchers will take blood and small muscle samples from 20 high-risk patients to look for chemical changes that might cause or signal this weakness. T…

This study watches how different hospitals help ICU patients start moving early. Researchers will track 6,000 adults to see which rehab methods lead to better strength and quality of life. No new treatments are given—only routine care is recorded.

This study looks at whether giving ICU teams real-time feedback and extra nurse support helps them consistently use a set of proven care steps for patients on breathing machines. About 8,100 critically ill adults will take part across multiple ICUs. The goal is to find practical …

This study looks at whether a special breathing technique (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 patie…

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

This study uses ultrasound to measure muscle, fat, and fluid changes in 121 critically ill pregnant or gynecological patients in the ICU. The goal is to see if these body composition changes are linked to serious outcomes like death, need for a breathing machine, or longer hospit…

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 100 adul…

This study looks at how severe traumatic injury changes the bone marrow and gut, leading to long-term anemia and microbiome disruption. Researchers will collect bone marrow, blood, and stool samples from 275 adults with serious blunt trauma. The goal is to understand these intera…

This study looks at how short periods of high oxygen affect blood flow in the brains of ICU patients on breathing machines. Researchers will briefly increase the oxygen given through the ventilator and use ultrasound to monitor brain artery blood flow. The goal is to understand t…

This study follows 540 adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) to see how their immune and inflammatory responses relate to their recovery. Researchers will collect extra blood samples at several time points over one year to measure immune cells and inflammation markers.…

This study follows 150 adult patients on ventilators in the ICU to see how often they develop joint contractures (stiff joints). Researchers measure joint movement regularly and track factors like sedation and immobility. The goal is to find what causes these contractures and hel…

This study aims to understand why many people who survive a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) experience long-term muscle weakness. Researchers will measure inflammation, metabolism, and muscle cell function in 100 participants, including both ICU survivors and patients recov…

This study tests whether connecting ambulances carrying seriously ill children to a remote 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 transport …

This study looks at 620 critically ill ICU patients to see if calculating protein needs based on lean body mass (instead of total body weight) leads to better outcomes like lower death rates and shorter hospital stays. Researchers will compare two groups: one that got protein bas…

This study looks at how the pain and sedation drug remifentanil behaves in low-weight patients in the intensive care unit who are on breathing machines. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood and check vital signs like blood pressure. The goal is to find the right dose…

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 who are on breathing machines. Researchers will measure fluid markers in the windpipe and track complications like pn…

This study tests a precise method called doubly labeled water to measure how much energy critically ill patients use. By collecting urine samples, researchers hope to better tailor nutrition to each patient's needs. The goal is to improve recovery and reduce complications like in…

This study tests whether giving critically ill patients more protein in their tube feed (1.3 grams per kg of body weight per day, instead of the standard 0.8 grams) can help their muscles build protein and reduce wasting. Twenty-six adults on ventilators in the ICU will be random…

This study looks at whether a campaign called Choosing Wisely can safely reduce unnecessary tests and treatments in intensive care units (ICUs). About 10,000 adult patients in Swedish ICUs will take part. The goal is to see if this approach lowers costs and improves care without …

This study is creating a prediction model to estimate the risk of death in patients aged 75 and older who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers will analyze lab results and other data from 450 participants to find patterns linked to death within 90 days. The …

This study watches 60 ICU patients on breathing machines to see if a new device (SERA) can measure breathing effort and oxygen use. The goal is to find better ways to predict who can safely breathe without the machine. Participants are already getting a standard breathing test, a…

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

This study will collect pupil measurements from 1,000 patients in the neuro-intensive care unit using a device called a pupillometer. The goal is to establish what normal pupil size, reactivity, and neurological pupil index values are for critically ill patients. By gathering thi…

This study looks at whether patients in the ICU who need a tracheostomy can keep getting nutrition through a tube right up until surgery, instead of stopping 6 hours before. The goal is to see if this helps them get more food without increasing the risk of food getting into the l…

This study is observing 1,000 critically ill ICU patients to learn how their bodies respond to life-threatening infections and injuries. Researchers will collect blood and lung fluid samples to identify biological factors that could lead to earlier diagnosis and new treatments fo…

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

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

This study reviews medical records from over 50,000 critically ill patients to see if starting dialysis earlier helps them live longer. Researchers will compare patients who started dialysis early versus late, looking at survival up to 90 days and beyond. The goal is to find the …