MECHANICAL VENTILATION

This study tests whether placing warm sterile fluid into the womb during labor can reduce breathing problems in newborns when the fluid around the baby is stained with thick meconium (the baby's first poop). About 320 pregnant women at 36 weeks or later will be randomly assigned …

This study tests whether giving an amino acid infusion during and after heart surgery can lower the risk of acute kidney injury in children. About 30 children at high risk for kidney problems will receive either the amino acid or a placebo for up to 72 hours. Researchers will als…

This study tests a new way to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a common and serious infection in ICU patients on breathing machines. Researchers will use a rapid test (about 4 hours) to find harmful bacteria in the airway, then give targeted inhaled antibiotics only…

This study looks at whether adding a low-dose ketamine drip to standard sedation helps adults on breathing machines in the ICU. Ketamine treats both sedation and pain, possibly reducing delirium and the need for other drugs. About 54 patients across Canadian ICUs will be randomly…

This study surveys 200 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, and students) to find out which techniques they use when removing a breathing tube after a patient has been on a ventilator. The goal is to describe current practices, since there is no clear agreement on the best …

This study compares a continuous cuff pressure controller (TRACH FLUSH) to standard manual checks in 54 critically ill patients on ventilators. The goal is to see if the device keeps the tube's cuff pressure in the target range and reduces fluid leaks into the lungs. Results may …

This study looks at 100 adults who needed a breathing machine after a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Researchers want to see how often acid-base problems happen and whether a computer program could suggest better ventilator settings. No new treatments are given—the team will rev…

This study looks at whether a special breathing maneuver during heart surgery can improve heart and lung function in children with congenital heart disease. About 80 children will be randomly assigned to receive either the maneuver or standard care. The goal is to see if this app…

This study looks at whether a special ultrasound test, called VExUS, can predict which ICU patients will struggle when doctors try to remove their breathing tube. About 350 adults who have been on a ventilator for more than 48 hours will have an ultrasound before a breathing tria…

This study tests three different methods of setting breathing machine pressure during robotic surgery to find which one best protects the lungs and improves oxygen levels afterward. About 120 adults having elective robotic surgery will take part. The goal is to see if adjusting p…

This study looks at how changing the pressure in a breathing machine (ventilator) affects blood flow congestion in the abdomen of 30 adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Researchers will use ultrasound to measure congestion in the liver, kidneys, and other orga…

This study looks at how air moves in the lungs of brain-injured patients when doctors are trying to take them off a breathing machine. Using a special imaging belt (electrical impedance tomography), researchers will track changes in lung ventilation patterns. The goal is to find …

This study uses a realistic simulator to see if a special 3D lung display (called a 'Digital Twin') helps doctors feel less stressed and find breathing problems faster compared to standard monitors. About 34 ICU doctors will manage four different emergency scenarios, and their me…

This study looks at whether a team-based rehabilitation program in a high-dependency unit (a step-down from the ICU) can improve physical, mental, and thinking abilities in people with post-intensive care syndrome. About 250 adults who have been in the ICU will take part. They wi…

This study looks back at medical records of 2,000 adults in the ICU who needed a breathing machine (mechanical ventilation). Researchers want to understand how nutrition-related blood tests change over time and how they relate to patient outcomes like survival and length of hospi…

This study aims to find a better way to predict when patients in intensive care can safely stop using a mechanical ventilator (breathing machine). Researchers will use ultrasound to measure how a patient's main breathing muscle (the diaphragm) moves and see if specific measuremen…