A common amino acid may shield kidneys after heart surgery — a massive analysis puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT07718373
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Acute kidney injury is a frequent and serious complication after cardiac surgery, and effective prevention remains elusive. This study analyzes data from 5,000 adults who had heart surgery with a heart-lung machine to see whether giving the amino acid L-arginine within the first three days after surgery lowers their risk of kidney damage. L-arginine is a building block for nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood vessels relax and may improve kidney blood flow.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- the amino acid L-arginine given intravenously within the first three days after heart surgery
- What this could lead to
- If L-arginine proves protective, it could offer a simple, low-cost way to reduce kidney damage after cardiac surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational analysis, not a randomized trial, so results may be influenced by other factors. L-arginine can also cause side effects like low blood pressure or electrolyte imbalances.
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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
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