Could skipping full blood thinners during ECMO save lives?
NCT ID NCT04273607
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether using only low-dose blood thinners (instead of the standard full-dose) is safe for patients on a life-support machine called ECMO for severe lung failure. The goal is to see if this approach reduces dangerous bleeding while still preventing clots. Forty adults on ECMO will be randomly assigned to either the low-dose or standard blood thinner group.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
prophylactic heparin (low-dose blood thinner)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that using less blood thinner during ECMO is safe, potentially reducing bleeding complications in critically ill patients.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply broadly. There is a risk of blood clots forming in the ECMO circuit or in the patient.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Toronto General Hospital
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5G 2N2, Canada
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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