Critical illness

Critically ill patients on breathing machines often get hospital-acquired lung infections. This trial tests whether adjusting antibiotic doses using drug level monitoring and software works better than standard dosing. About 610 adults in intensive care units will receive either …

This study compares three approaches to treating swallowing problems in adults recovering from critical illness: standard care, intensive swallowing exercises, and a device that strengthens breathing muscles. Researchers will measure changes in swallowing safety, cough strength, …

This trial tests whether an automated alert, triggered when a patient's sepsis risk score rises, can speed up critical care and improve outcomes. When the alert fires, the bedside nurse can activate a critical care team, and if no response occurs, the team is paged automatically.…

Pulse oximeters, which clip onto a finger to estimate blood oxygen levels, can be less accurate when blood flow to the fingers is poor, a common issue in critically ill patients. This trial tests whether warming the hand and lower forearm for 15 minutes improves the accuracy of t…

This pilot trial tests whether adding fiber to tube feeding can help critically ill ICU patients resist colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Researchers will compare patients receiving fiber-enriched formula with those on standard formula, tracking changes in gut bacteri…

This trial compares two ways to humidify air for trauma patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation: active heated humidifiers and passive heat-and-moisture exchangers. The goal is to see which method reduces airway complications like mucus plugs and tube blockages, and improves…

This trial tests whether a standardized nursing care pathway, guided by the Bristol Stool Form Scale, can reduce the severity of diarrhea in critically ill patients receiving tube feeding. The pathway involves regular stool assessments and step-by-step interventions such as adjus…

This study tests whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can help ICU patients with sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening infection that can cause organ failure. The trial will give 60 adults either standard care or standard care plus FMT through a tube into the gut for thr…

This Phase 2 trial tests whether adding the drug nogapendekin alfa inbakicept (NAI) to standard sepsis care can improve survival in critically ill adults with sepsis and persistently low lymphocyte counts (a sign of immune suppression). About 50 participants will be randomly assi…

This study tests a combination of high-protein supplements, mobility-based physical therapy, and neuromuscular electric stimulation in older adults (60+) who have been in the ICU for at least two weeks and now have muscle weakness. The goal is to see if this approach can improve …

This study will test whether a standardized set of emergency steps—including early screening, blood tests, fluids, and antibiotics—can improve survival for sepsis patients. Researchers will compare outcomes for 120 adults treated before and after the new protocol is introduced. T…

This study looks at whether feeding through the gut (enteral nutrition) or through a vein (parenteral nutrition) leads to better outcomes for critically ill adults recovering from shock in the ICU. About 1,150 patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two feeding methods. …

This study tests whether a daily capsule of pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila, a type of beneficial gut bacteria, can help adults recover after being treated for sepsis in the ICU. Fifty participants will take either the supplement or a placebo for 56 days. Researchers will che…

This trial tests whether giving ICU patients a break from tube feeding (4 or 6 hours daily) improves outcomes compared to continuous 24-hour feeding. About 150 critically ill adults on ventilators will be randomly assigned to one of three schedules. Researchers will track ICU sta…

This study tests whether giving extra human albumin—a natural blood protein—along with standard care can help people survive septic shock after surgery. Septic shock is a life-threatening condition where infection causes dangerously low blood pressure. The trial will enroll 304 a…

This study tests a telehealth program for people aged 65 and older who have survived a critical illness in the ICU. Participants get a recovery navigator who helps with discharge planning, coordinates with their doctor, and provides weekly check-in calls for 12 weeks. The goal is…

This study will test a new wearable device that measures kidney function in real time, compared to the standard 8-hour urine collection method. Researchers will give 200 critically ill patients two dyes (relmapirazin and iohexol) and use a skin sensor to track how quickly their k…

This study will test whether a kidney ultrasound and a urine test can predict acute kidney injury in people with sepsis. Researchers will measure kidney blood flow and specific urine markers in 130 adults shortly after sepsis diagnosis. The goal is to see if these tests can spot …

Critically ill patients on breathing machines often develop dangerous gut bacteria that can lead to hospital-acquired infections. Researchers are testing a synbiotic medical food, a mix of probiotics and prebiotics, to see if it safely reduces these harmful bacteria. The trial en…

This pilot study tests whether a 12-week home-based exercise program, guided by video calls, is feasible and safe for children aged 3 to 18 who have recently left the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and haven't fully regained their physical abilities. Participants receive in…

This pilot study tests whether rapid analysis of the airway microbiome can guide inhaled antibiotics to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ICU patients. 70 adults on ventilators will receive either microbiome-guided inhaled antibiotics or a placebo for up to 5 days.…

Intensive care units focus on complex medical care, which can push aside who a patient is as a person. This trial tests a low-cost panel placed near each patient's bed where the care team, patient, and family record how the patient likes to be addressed, their interests, and what…

Researchers are testing a structured stress management training program for family caregivers of patients who have spent more than 10 days in an intensive care unit. The program teaches caregivers about stress and emotional responses in the ICU, helps them spot their own stressor…

This study tests a program called ICU-SUCCEED, designed to help survivors of acute respiratory failure and their family caregivers cope and manage recovery together. The program includes one in-person session and four follow-up sessions by phone or video, focusing on communicatio…

This study tests whether using a special brain monitor (BIS) to guide sedation can reduce the amount of sedative drugs given to adults in the ICU after heart surgery. About 144 participants will be randomly assigned to either BIS-guided sedation or standard care. The goal is to s…

This study tests a program to help adult patients sleep better in the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery. The program includes sleep education, earplugs and eye masks, reducing noise and light at night, and grouping nursing tasks to avoid waking patients. Researchers will co…

This pilot study investigates whether melatonin can improve sleep quality in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. Participants will wear a headband device to measure their sleep patterns and then receive a dose of melatonin. The study lasts two days and aims to see if mel…

This study tests a mobile mindfulness program called Lift for people who survived a serious illness in the ICU and now struggle with depression, anxiety, or stress. About 450 adults will use either the Lift app or a health education app for 6 months. The goal is to see if the min…

This study tests REFRAME, a short tablet-based program designed to help family members manage overwhelming emotions when making medical decisions for critically ill loved ones in the ICU. About 387 participants will be randomly assigned to either REFRAME or an informational suppo…

This study tests whether adding low-dose ketamine to standard sedatives helps critically ill patients on breathing machines recover faster and spend more days alive at home. About 640 adults who need unplanned ventilation and sedation will receive either ketamine or a placebo for…

This study tests whether a virtual reality program can help adults who have been in the intensive care unit (ICU) feel less stressed and in less pain after moving to a regular hospital room. About 150 participants will either get standard care or extra VR sessions designed to rel…

This study tests a new rehab program for adults with severe burns who are on breathing machines. The program uses brain stimulation, virtual reality, and special sedation to try to prevent muscle loss. Thirty patients will be split into two groups: one gets standard care, the oth…

This study tests whether a sleep medication called lemborexant can help older adults in the intensive care unit (ICU) sleep better and reduce their risk of delirium, a state of sudden confusion. The trial will involve 100 patients aged 65 and older who are in the surgical ICU. Pa…

This study compares two sedatives, remimazolam and midazolam, to see which one causes less confusion (delirium) after heart valve surgery in people aged 65 and older. Delirium affects up to 70% of older heart surgery patients and can lead to longer hospital stays and memory probl…

Researchers at Assiut University are studying how to identify malnutrition in critically ill children aged 1 month to 5 years admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. The team uses a four-part ABCD approach that combines body measurements, blood markers, physical signs, and d…

This study looks at over 500,000 critically ill adults in Swedish ICUs to see if starting continuous kidney dialysis (CRRT) earlier affects how long they stay in the ICU. About 5% of these patients receive CRRT. Researchers will compare early versus late initiation of dialysis an…

Researchers at Assiut University Hospitals are following 310 critically ill adults admitted to intensive care to see how many develop gastrointestinal bleeding at least 24 hours after arrival. The study measures bleeding rates, identifies which clinical, laboratory, and treatment…

This study looks at whether giving critically ill patients on breathing machines less protein (0.6-0.8 g/kg per day) during their early ICU stay leads to a better quality of life after leaving the hospital, compared to the standard amount (1.3 g/kg per day). About 1,026 adults wi…

This study will collect information from 100,000 critically ill patients worldwide who receive continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), a type of kidney dialysis, in intensive care units. Researchers want to understand how CRRT is used and how it affects patient survival and …

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center want to understand how immune cells use glucose, the body's main sugar, during critical illness. They give 25 adult ICU patients an intravenous infusion of a non-radioactive carbon-13 glucose tracer over a few hours. Then they c…

This study tests whether a structured training program for ICU staff improves how often breathing tubes are placed successfully on the first try and reduces major complications, such as severe drops in blood pressure or oxygen levels, cardiac arrest, or death. Researchers will tr…

This international study follows about 565 patients who need advanced breathing support, such as high-flow oxygen or a ventilator, while being transported within or between hospitals. Researchers will track what happens during these trips, including any equipment problems or inte…

This study investigates whether changes in serum phosphate, a blood electrolyte, are linked to respiratory quotient, a measure of how the body uses energy, in critically ill patients during their first week in intensive care. The goal is to see if a rising respiratory quotient co…

Doctors in the ICU often check blood gases through an arterial line, but that carries risks like clots and infection. This study asks whether blood drawn from a central venous line, which is already in place for other care, gives equally useful information. Researchers will compa…

This study investigates what happens when critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are not given nutrition for the first 72 hours after admission. Researchers will measure ketone bodies in the blood and examine how immune cells respond, comparing these patients to…

This study looks at whether intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America that follow a standard care bundle more closely—covering sedation checks, breathing trials, delirium monitoring, early mobility, and family involvement—see lower rates of delirium and better long-term outcom…

This observational study looks at whether critically ill adults on ECMO—a machine that supports heart and lung function—experience delayed stomach emptying more often than those on a breathing machine only. Researchers will measure stomach emptying using bedside methods like ultr…

This study is testing whether an artificial intelligence model can predict which critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk of developing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), a serious complication where two or more organs fail. Researchers will c…

This observational study looks at whether inhaled sedation with isoflurane is a more cost-effective option than intravenous propofol for mechanically ventilated adults in the intensive care unit. Researchers will compare total care costs, duration of ventilation, ICU length of st…

This observational study tracks how critically ill patients on breathing machines regain consciousness after sedation is reduced or stopped. Researchers will monitor patients for 72 hours to identify different patterns of recovery and see if those patterns relate to outcomes like…

This study looks at why some people recover their thinking and emotional skills better than others after a serious illness requiring intensive care. Researchers will follow 114 adults admitted to ICUs in Spain, collecting blood samples and testing memory, attention, and mood at d…

This study tests a bedside tool called the APEX score, which evaluates swallowing biomechanics, to predict whether critically ill patients will need their breathing tube reinserted after planned removal. Researchers will enroll 800 adults on ventilators for at least 48 hours acro…

This study looks at how the sedative dexmedetomidine affects the smallest blood vessels in people with septic shock, a life-threatening condition caused by severe infection. Researchers will measure blood flow in the tongue's tiny vessels and other key blood pressure indicators b…

This pilot study will test a drug called anisodamine in 20 adults with septic shock who are on a ventilator. The goal is to see if the drug can improve blood flow in small blood vessels and help with a phenomenon called 'vascular waterfall.' This is a very early study to gather i…

This study will observe how intravenous (IV) fluids are given to adult patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across Turkey. Researchers will record the types and amounts of fluids used over 24 hours without changing any treatments. The goal is to describe current practices and …

This study looks at how often ICU patients silently inhale food or liquid into their lungs after a breathing tube is removed, without showing obvious signs like coughing. Researchers will compare a routine bedside swallowing test with a more detailed camera test to see if the bed…

This study looks at whether a measurement called Body Roundness Index (BRI), which uses waist size and height, can predict death in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Researchers will measure BRI in 550 adults when they enter the ICU and track their outcomes, including dea…

This study looks at whether changes in how the pupils react to light can predict recovery in critically ill patients. Researchers will measure pupil responses daily for the first week in the ICU. They aim to see if these measurements relate to how well patients do at discharge an…

This study looks at whether adding a measure of gut function to a standard organ failure score can better predict which critically ill patients are at highest risk of dying. Researchers will follow 800 adults in Turkish ICUs, using only routine data—no extra tests or treatments. …

This study involves 35 critically ill adults to see if different ultrasound methods give consistent measurements of left diaphragm movement. Researchers will compare standard and modified positions to find the most reliable technique. The goal is to improve how doctors assess dia…

This study looks at how certain metabolic changes in the body might help predict kidney injury after heart surgery. Researchers will study 540 high-risk patients to find patterns that could warn doctors early. The goal is to improve patient safety and outcomes by catching kidney …

This study looks at how acute kidney injury (AKI) impacts the process of removing a breathing tube (weaning) in critically ill adults in the ICU. Researchers will track 85 patients to see if AKI makes weaning harder, slower, or more risky. The goal is to learn whether kidney prob…

This study looks at a new way to assess pain in intensive care patients who are on breathing machines and cannot speak. It uses a special tool (AlgiScan) and a behavioral checklist to adjust pain medicine more safely. Researchers will compare data from 400 adults to see if the ne…

This study looks at how sepsis changes the RNA in white blood cells over time. Researchers will follow 200 sepsis patients, 50 other critically ill patients, and 40 healthy people to map these changes. The goal is to understand why some people have long-term immune problems after…

This study will follow 500 critically ill adults in the ICU to see if changes in a blood protein called prealbumin can predict who will die or get infections. Researchers will track prealbumin levels over time and compare them to patient outcomes. No new treatment is given—partic…

This study looks at whether ultrasound can help predict a sudden drop in blood pressure when ICU patients start a type of dialysis. Researchers will monitor 80 adults using heart and body scans before and during treatment. The goal is to find early warning signs to prevent compli…

This study checks if a special camera that looks at tiny blood vessels under the tongue can give consistent results. Researchers will measure 200 people—healthy volunteers and ICU patients—multiple times to see if the method is reliable. The goal is to improve how doctors monitor…

This study looks at how doctors in Swedish intensive care units (ICUs) make decisions about whether to continue or stop life-sustaining treatment for critically ill children. Researchers will interview 30 specialist physicians to understand their experiences, attitudes, and the e…

This study follows 40 adults with serious burn injuries to collect blood, tissue samples, and medical record data. Researchers will look for patterns that could help predict who will develop sepsis or other complications. The goal is to build a computer-based 'digital twin' model…

This study checks if a Turkish version of the Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS) accurately measures breathing distress in critically ill patients who cannot speak. Researchers will compare RDOS scores with end-tidal carbon dioxide levels, an objective breathing measur…

This study follows 80 adults with serious burns to understand how their bodies respond to injury and treatment. Researchers collect blood and tissue samples and review medical records to find patterns that might predict sepsis and other complications. The goal is to build compute…

This study looks at how the blood thinner enoxaparin works in critically ill ICU patients with kidney failure, some on dialysis and some not. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood over 24 hours after a daily shot. The goal is to see if current dosing is enough to prev…

This study will follow 300 adults with severe infections in the ICU to see how levels of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)—natural molecules that help stop inflammation—change over time. Researchers will use blood samples already collected during routine care, so no extr…

This study will compare diluted and undiluted tube feeding in 80 critically ill adults after major abdominal surgery. Half will get extra fluids mixed with their feed, the other half will get undiluted feed with fluids given separately through an IV. The goal is to see which appr…

This study will follow 4,000 people who had a stem cell transplant and later became critically ill, requiring intensive care. Researchers will collect information on their health, treatments, and survival. The goal is to learn more about what happens to these patients and how to …

This study looks at 48 critically ill adults on breathing machines to see which method better predicts if they need more fluids. Doctors will compare a standard blood pressure measure with an ultrasound-based heart measurement during a leg-raising test. The goal is to help ICU te…

This study looks at whether measuring changes in exhaled carbon dioxide (a breath test) during a leg-raising maneuver can help predict if a critically ill patient needs more fluids. Doctors often struggle to balance giving enough fluids without causing harm from too much. The stu…

This study tests whether an AI model (ChatGPT-5) can help doctors make better decisions for critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). About 1000 adults admitted to the ICU will be randomly assigned to standard care or care where the AI provides diagnostic and trea…

This study will look back at the records of 1,000 surgery patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Villavicencio, Colombia, between 2022 and 2024. The goal is to understand what patient and surgery factors are linked to worse outcomes, such as death in the I…